We All Must Choose.

We All Must Choose

In Matthew 21:28-32 we read: "But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-14-16). He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They (the religious leaders) say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of G-d before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."

Jesus said in the Garden several times; "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." In Mark 14:32-36 we also read: "Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Yet we then see Jesus afterward went willingly to do His Father's will.

In Isaiah Chapter 14 we read about Lucifer - "How you are fallen (Luke 10:18-19) from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! (2 Corinthians 11:14) How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of G-d; I will sit on the mount of congregation on the heights of Zaphon; I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High." But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the Pit. Those who see you will stare at you, and ponder over you: "Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who would not let his prisoners (Revelation 17 and 18) go home." Lucifer is the Latin word which was translated from the Hebrew heylel which means "Shining one".(2 Corintihians11:14-15)

In Isaiah 29:13 we read: "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: See also Matthew 15:8. As Jesus says in Luke 6:46, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?"

In Isaiah 5:1-7, which has been called "The Song of the Vineyard." G-d pictures Israel and Judah as a vineyard. He does all He can for them, planting, protecting, and feeding them, but instead of the vineyard producing wonderful grapes (Galatians 5:22-23), it produces wild grapes that are good for nothing. The reason: His people would not listen to Him (Jonn 10:27). They had indeed promised to obey and they gave the appearance of belonging to Him, but they would not really work at it. Thus, they did not produce what G-d expected.

in I Corinthians 1:26-31, Paul attests that Christ will build His church through the weak and base, not the ones men think should be first. (See also Luke 22:25-26) Paul of Tarsus said he was not only chief of the apostles but he also was chief of the sinners!

Jesus asks the question of the religious leaders: "Which of the two sons did the will of his father?" The obvious answer is he who repented and went to work. Then Jesus tells the Pharisees that the tax collectors and harlots would go in to His Kingdom before them because blatant sinners believed and repented, while the "religious" people did not. Luke 6:45 In Luke 18:11 we read: "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, G-d, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican." Religious people especially their leaders feel they are going to Heaven on their own "sinlessness" and see no need to repent (see Luke 7:36-50). They may even appear righteous, but being deceived by Satan and denominational churches, they beLIEve their own righteousness will save them. Therefore, because they see no sin in their lives, they see no reason to repent (Revelation 3:16-17). There is no one righteous, no not one! Romans 3:10.


G-d commands His children to work (Lamentations 3:27), though we are all heirs. Generally, the first reaction of a sinner to G-d's truth is "I will not!" which shows the problem between carnal man and G-d (Romans 8:7). The disobedient, lying son represents those denominational churches who have no desire to make any effort to obey G-d. They neither fear G-d nor pretend to, seeing no immediate reward for their efforts. Many in the denominational churches profess to know G-d but deny Him in their works. They appear pious to the world, but their personal lives are riddled with sin and they are not following the LORD who is not divided nor the author of confusion. They are living a lie, and out of their smooth mouths their deceitful hearts speak (Luke 6:45). Their efforts produce the works of the flesh rather than the fruit of the Spirit. But G-d's true church makes herself ready by repenting and overcoming sin, by truly valuing and appreciating the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and by hearing and then obeying the Lord Jesus Christ. In James 4:8 we read: "Draw nigh to G-d, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded."

Who was Jesus Barabbas? ("Lesous" means Jesus in Greek.)

“Barabbas” is a family name, “bar” meaning “son of”. Just as Peter is called Simon bar Jonah, Barabbas means “son of the father”. The nature of Jesus Barabbas was sinful and fallen in that he led an insurrection or riot (Mark 15:7), he was a murderer and caused a rebellion (Luke 23: 18 – 19) and he was a robber (John 18: 40). “According to Josephus the word used for robber, lestes, refers to members of the nationalist movement called Zealots, (political freedom fighters) who supported themselves by robbery. Barabbas was the very nature of the “anti, or “instead” of Christ. The Bible tells us Satan is guilty of rebellion, a murderer, a liar and a thief as was Barabbas. In Leviticus 16:20-26 we see a goat that is released into the wilderness after the sacrificial goat (the Lord Jesus Christ) (Leviticus 16:9-10) is slain on the day of Atonement for sins - see the teaching on Yom Kippur.)

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Ezekiel 28: 15 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.”

John 10:1 - “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” Jesus the Christ says that he is the doorway to the sheepfold and the ONLY way to the Father. He came to establish a kingdom that was NOT of this world. He came in humility and only did what he heard the Father tell him to do. And His Father said that this Jesus was His beloved Son - Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:21-22, 9:35.

Barabbas chose to do the opposite and do only what he wanted. The devil spelled backwards is "lived" and evil spelled backwards is "evil". According to early Greek texts, Barabbas' full name was Jesus Barabbas. Matthew 27:16-17 we read:" And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus Barabbas (Job 1:6 -2:7). So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, "Which one do you want me to release to you, (Greek: Iesous ton Barabbas) translated Jesus Barabbas (son of Father), or (Greek: Iesous ton legomenon Christon) translated Jesus called Messiah (Christ, the anointed)?" According to the closely parallel gospels of Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, and Luke 23:13–25, and the more divergent accounts in John 18:38-19:16 and the Gospel of Peter, the religious leaders and their followers all screamed and demanded that the evil Jesus Barabbas be released and the innocent Jesus of Nazareth be crucified. A passage found only in the Gospel of Matthew has the crowd yelling, "Let His blood be upon us and upon our children". The Bible doesn't say what Barabbas did after he was released. But several ancient sources do preserve one tradition, on the day he was released he went to Golgotha and watched the Lord Jesus Christ die on the cross. See also: Genesis 4:8; Job 2:7; Ecclesiastes 1:9; Revelation 17 & 18.

Which Jesus will you choose? Will you choose Jesus Barabbas or Jesus Christ, both represent a clear choice for you to make. Each represents a different kingdom and/or a different way of entering that kingdom. Jesus Barabbas represents the wisdom of this world, where you get to do it your way and you can reject or earn or buy or take your own "salvation", specifically through the use of your own efforts, including violence. You must realize that there are no other choices for your spiritual destiny. Every person who ever lives will either choose to do it his own way or to to do it the LORD's way! You have to serve someone - in Joshua 24:15 we read: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." In Deuteronomy 30:19 we read: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" In Matthew 6:24 we read: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve G-d and mammon." In Matthew 11:12 we read: "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." In Matthew 11:24 we read: "But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." In Galatians 5:22-23 we read about the nine attributes that come only if we abide in our Lord Jesus Christ - they are called "Fruit of the Spirit" and these nine attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.

Thy will be done

Matthew 6:9 -13 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (66 words in 6 sentences with no selfish words of - I, me or my.)

Matthew 26:36 -44 "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. ( Three times Jesus agreed ti let His Father have His will be done in Jesus life.)

Mark 14:32-39: "And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words."

Luke 11:1-2: "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth."

Luke 22:39-44: "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.

Acts 18:18-21: "And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if G-d will. And he sailed from Ephesus."

Acts 21:10-14: "And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done."

1 Corinthians 4:18-19: "Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power."

1 Corinthians 16:6-7: "And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit."

James 4:13-16: "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil."

But Dear One, how will you ever know exactly what the Lord's will is for you to choose - if you do not hear Him?