deliver. Contemplate the comparison which Pilate makes: Light is compared with darkness, the Author of Life with a murderer, our sovereign Benefactor with a robber. Christ, however, did not disdain it.
II. Consider the most foolish and unjust demand of the people, " Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas." (Luke xxiii. 18.) It was an ignominious act to compare Jesus to this man, but most insolent and ignominious to prefer him to Jesus. Now is the oracle of the prophet perfectly fulfilled, "I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. " (Ps. xxi. 7.) What are the opinions and judgments of this world? What wise man would place any confidence in them, or care whether he were an object of their censure or of their praise? As often as you sin mortally, you pass the same judgment as the Jews did, by preferring in your heart some momentary pleasure to an infinite good, some creature to the Creator, some Barabbas to Christ.
III. Pilate asked, " What shall I do then with Jesus?" (Matt, xxvii. 22.) The people tumultuously answer, "Crucify Him! crucify Him!" (Luke xxiii. 21.) Observe with what modesty and patience Christ suffered these insults. Often ask yourself this question: and what shall I do with Jesus? Will you esteem, love, serve, and honor Him as you ought, or insult, afflict, and crucify Him again? All sinners act thus, "crucifying again to themselves," as the Apostle teaches, " the Son of God, and making a mockery of Him." (Heb. vi. 6.)
