While reading my bible and thinking about the things that are said by the writer and the accounts given of the trial of Jesus before Pilate in Mark 15 : 6-11.  Pilate asked Jesus accusers as the custom was on feast days to show clemency to a prisoner of the state.  Pilate thought that if he offered Barabas a murderer and an insurrectionist that they would sooner chose to release Jesus who Pilate found no fault in Him.  But instead they chose Barabas and demanded that Jesus would be crucified.  Then also in Matt. 27 : 25,  The Jews were so vehemently bent on their conviction to crucify Jesus they traded and innocent man for a murderer that they brought a curse upon them selves by saying, "His blood be on us and our children".  this gives possibly some credence to Isa. 43:28 "therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob (Judah) to the curse, and Israel (church) to reproaches."  Jesus from the cross looked down on those who mocked Him Ps.22 and said, Lk.23:34 "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do"  Jesus already began HIs Ministry as High Priest and intersescer for those men that are deceived by the powers of darkness and satin the master of disception.  We are expeinceing the same thing in the church (Ephrim) and this nation, America (Joseph)  They have crucified Jesus a fresh and chose Barabas, this is why we have a spirit of murder in our nation in our schools, work places and families, ect.  A spirit of insurrection that has arisen to divided and conquer this people, black against white, Republican against Democrat ect.  There is a separating and sifting going on and we need draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh unto us.  May the Lord open your eyes to the times and seasons of correction that we have entered into. The ultimate deception is quoted in 1 Cor. 2:8, "Which none of the princes of this world knew; (Rulers of darkness in high places)for had they know it, (the wisdom of God), they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Here we have a fulfillment of Rom. 8:28 And what the enemy meant for evil God will turn even this to profit us.
  Romans 15 : 13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may over flow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ed Hintz
1/14/01