A Series of Bad Choices

Matthew 27:24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Having been railroaded in a "trial" before the Jewish leaders, Jesus is then taken to Pilate for His Roman hearing.  This is where things should have stopped, but Pilate chose to entertain the thought of punishing an innocent man, even though there was a lack of evidence.  This led to a building of public sentiment against Jesus, Pilate foolishly offering Barabbas instead, then acting as if there was nothing He could do and handing Jesus over for crucifixion.  The people also unwisely chose Barabbas over Jesus. Meanwhile Judas chose death over life after choosing to betray Jesus.  By the end of the day, Jesus was dead, buried, and a threat.  The Jewish leaders, again acting out of fear, chose to request a Roman guard, which in the long run only added official witnesses to the resurrection.  What bad choices will we make today about Jesus?