Keys to the Storehouse – The Battle

How often the battle rages within our souls. Whom will we crucify in our lives—Jesus or Barabbas? The choice is ours. If we crucify Barabbas, the Lord Jesus is free to work a miracle in our hearts, but if we deny and crucify Jesus, we are left alone with no strength to battle the evil one. In the words of an old song written by F. E. Belden in 1908 from “Christ in Song,” pg. 1, came forth the real battle of our hearts: Christ or Barabbas? Whom will you crucify in your life?

Christ or Barabbas?

What shall I do with Jesus? He stands before me now,

Wearing the robe of purple, And thorns upon His brow.

This is the question now; What shall the answer be?

Shall I crucify King Jesus, And set Barabbas free?

 

Shall I release the robber, The carnal man of pride?

Sin or a sinless Saviour? O which shall be denied?

This is the question now; What shall the answer be?

Shall I crucify King Jesus, And set Barabbas free?

 

Solemn and awful question! How still the balance stands!

Mercy a moment lingers, It trembles in her hands.

This is the question now; What shall the answer be?

Shall I crucify King Jesus, And set Barabbas free?

 

Self on the seat of judgment, Dare you the world deny?

Louder and louder calling, “Away!” and “Crucify!”

This is the question now; What shall the answer be?

Shall I crucify King Jesus, And set Barabbas free?

 

Not to the sinner only, The question comes with pow’r,

Hear it, ye halting Christians, In every trial hour.

This is the question now; What shall the answer be?

I will crucify Barabbas and set King Jesus free.

Heavenly Father: The battle rages within my heart—who will reign, Jesus or Barabbas? Too many times I have crucified Jesus and allowed Barabbas to sit upon the throne of my heart. Every trial I go through comes down to the big choice “who receives my heart—Jesus or Barabbas?” Give me courage to shut the door to Barabbas and to open it to Jesus in each and every battle. Amen.