5. YOU CAN’T STAY INDIFFERENT ABOUT HIM (Matthew 27:20-23).

The chief priests and the elders of the people anticipated that Pilate would offer to release a prisoner to them. And because Barabbas had committed murder in an act of rebellion against the Romans, it probably wasn’t hard to convince the crowd that he was acting out of patriotism when he did so. So, “they persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus” (Matthew 27:20).

So; when the governor asked the crowd, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” (Matthew 27:21). And so, “Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’” And do you notice that they didn’t say, “Whatever you think best, sir”? No! “They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’ Then the governor said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’ But no reason is given. Instead, they all cried out all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!’” (Matthew 27:22-23). They didn’t ask that He be sent away into exile. They didn’t ask that He be kept in prison. They didn’t even ask that they be permitted to stone Him. They asked for the most gruesome and cruel form of execution that the Roman government would allow—reserved only for the most notorious criminals. They demanded crucifixion.

And again, here’s another spiritual lesson about Jesus. Once you come to understand what the Bible says about Him—once you really understand who He is presented to be—it’s absolutely impossible to remain indifferent about Him. You have to decide which side of the question you’re on. You will either run to Him or run from Him. You will either embrace Him or reject Him. You will either love Him or hate Him.

Jesus Himself said so. He took away all neutrality when He said, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matthew 12:30).