Now it was the governor’s custom at the (Passover) festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered. (Matthew 27:15-17, 21) NIV

This scripture is from a well-known story from the Bible. Jesus (the Messiah) has healed the sick, cast out demons, preached repentance and love for one another. He is brought before the Roman governor, accused by the high priest of blasphemy.
Jesus Barabbas meanwhile has been arrested for murder and insurrection (Luke 23).
The governor finds no guilt in Jesus the Messiah, but he doesn’t want more problems in his region. He gives the people a choice to free one of these people, the Messiah or the Murderer, thinking it is a pretty obvious choice.
However, the people demand that Barabbas be set free and the Messiah sentenced to death.
My first question is: how possibly could they have chosen Barabbas? Clearly they choose the wrong Jesus.
My next question is: What would we do? Surely we know better and cannot be fooled by the Barabbas’s… can we?
My final questions are: Are there times that I have made such a blatantly wrong choice? Have I ignored or denounced the way of the Messiah? Have I honored the way of the criminal or sinner? Have I ever chosen the wrong Jesus?