“And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.” But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will. Luke 23:18-25
Do you really think that on the day when Jesus was brought to trial and Pilate asked the people who should be released Barabbas or Jesus, that all those people Jesus healed (hundreds? thousands?), those He restored sight to, made to walk, talk and hear again, all those people who were delivered of demonic possession and oppression, all those people who were miraculously fed (five thousand men plus women and children) with five loaves and two fish, or those miraculously fed (four thousand plus women and children) with seven loaves and a few fish, all those people He raised from the dead, the women healed of the issue of blood, Jairus and his daughter, the son of the widow woman, Lazarus, Mary and Martha, the disciples, Mary the Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdala, Niocodemus, the Centurion and his servant, any of these were shouting, “Crucify Him!”?
It is highly unlikely. So who was shouting? Did any of those mentioned above have anything to gain by demanding Barabbas’ release? Who did hope to gain by this travesty of justice? The same people who sought all His life to kill Jesus; the chief priests and those men in league with the rebel and the murderer. They were shouting the loudest.
Does it make any sense that these people who had been so miraculously delivered from their troubles, would so instantly and violently turn on the man who healed, delivered and provided for them?
Likewise, does it follow logically that those who decry and vigorously oppose anarchy and violence and the wanton disregard for the rule of law, would suddenly become perpetrators of violence, anarchy and lawlessness, and do so at the very heart and center of the nation’s highest law making body? Who would stand to benefit from such a thing?
Today, there are those calling for the President to be impeached and be removed from office for inciting the riot on and in the Capital, blaming his supporters for the anarchy and violence. But was it his supporters doing this thing? Could it have been those who were well known for engaging in such behavior time and again, who were never held accountable for their, violence, destruction and anarchy, but were supported by the same people who now are quick to assail the president as responsible for people who appeared to be his supporters, but whose actions are directly inconsistent with anything his supporters have done before, but are an exact replica of the actions taken in the past by those who hate him.
Jesus was innocent of every accusation brought against Him. And those shouting for His death were the very ones perpetrating the very things they accused Him of doing.
But this is typical of the tactics of the devil. He interposes himself into situations, groups or gatherings to do his deeds in the guise of those he wishes to misrepresent. Pretending to be a sheep he hides his true identity, as a wolf, behind the clothes and mask of a sheep. One by one he attempts to devour the sheep until the good shepherd recognizes him for who he is and exacts true and righteous judgment on him.
With all the security cameras throughout the Capital building it should be easy to identify and bring to justice the true perpetrators of this violent attack on our government, and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the Law. And that would be the right thing to do. But, to hastily accuse the President of inspiring this action and of those who support him of carrying it out is potentially another false accusation as so many have been against him in the last four years.
But we who are of the household of faith must remember where our citizenship is established and who rules in our hearts. We must seek the wisdom from above and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to us. Then, follow after the truth, keep it in our hearts at the ready to identify and put down all disobedience in our minds. The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerning of the thoughts and intent of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12]
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
The same manner in which we don’t allow ourselves to dwell on the lies and deceptions of the devil where our personal daily actions and choices are concerned, we must also not abandon the wisdom of God in evaluating and judging social and political matters either. We must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Before we judge, we should pray and seek God for discernment and to know the truth. Knowing the truth will make us free.
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