JESUS OR BARABBAS

Matthew 27:15-22

so when the crowd had gathered, pilate asked them, “which one do you want me to release to you; Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ”. (verse 17)

On the eve of my eleventh birthday my sister whom I usually call Mum gave me a task of choice making that affected my reasoning till date.”Do you want a car or money?” she said, I become perplexed on which of the items to choose, while she was waiting for my response, I quickly thought within me, I will spend the money quickly but I will prefer a car that will boost my status among my peers so, I said ‘a car’, but to my utmost disappointment she handed over to me a picture frame of Lamborghini, throughout that night I was so sad and mad at my choice. Years later after knowledge has increased I asked myself, what I want a car for at that age if not greedy and the thought of immediate gratification. I then analysed the dynamics of choice making and come these conclusion: there are two factors that affects our decision making per time

(I) EXTERNAL FACTORS: (a) how people influence our actions and behaviour: Our actions revolve round how we are been manipulated, intimidated or motivated to get things done. We easily do things charismatic speakers, good analysts or creative negotiators who comes our way convince us to do (b) the vogue mentality: most of our behaviours are not too far from fashion or style of the moment, (c) what people say about me: We like to impress people around who mostly do not like us but will still want to be in their good book. John Maxwell once said ‘We borrow the money we do not have to buy things we do not need to impress the people who do not like us’ (d) Peer Pressure: Actions and responses of people is centred around complying with “everybody is doing it syndrome” come join us. About 75% people hooked on drugs in Nigeria, is traceable to peer pressure (II) INTERNAL FACTORS; (a) My Value System:  Making choice is informed by our belief system (b) My Self Worth: Self esteem goes a long way in affecting the quality of decision made. There is need to create an inner image of who you are not what people say you are. (c) Greed:  Most people make hasty decision due to impulse, most of this group of people regret they actions later in life.

  We are seldom given task of choice in our daily life, but when we make the wrong choice, we feel bad, knowing that we hastily made those choices without taking a deep thought on the outcome of our choices. Any choice to be made based on advice should be well considered. Bishop Thomas Aremu once said “Your choice will determine your chance in life”. Most people in the crowd shouted in favour of the release of Barabbas who does not really know the implication of their choice, they made their choice based on external factor and not based on internal factor.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to inquire of you before making any choice in my life. (AMEN).