Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. And the one named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the revolt. And the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.

When was the last time you felt angry after reading a headline? We can become enraged before we have even read the whole story. Headlines are written to capture our attention and at times can be used to evoke emotion to get us to take up the cause. In a similar way, the chief priests stirred up the crowd against Jesus. Their words sparked emotion and a reaction that turned the crowd of people who had welcomed Him with, “Hosanna in the highest!” into those yelling, “Crucify him!”

We also are impressionable people. When the pressure is on and the arguments are convincing, we too can be influenced and turned against our Savior, even in small ways. First John 4:1 speaks to avoiding this deception, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” As compelling as the headline or information may be, as followers of Christ, we are called to be discerning with messages we hear. God has not left us to figure out the truth of the world on our own. He has given us Himself, the very essence of truth, to guide us through every moment and challenge of life.

• How have you sought discernment? What are some ways you can grow in discernment?
• When have you reacted without thinking? What are some ways we can go to God in those moments?
• Pray and ask God to grow your discernment about who to listen to and how to react when you receive different messages in life.