Persecuted: The Crowds (Matthew 27:15-26)

Those who persecuted Christ and those who persecute His Church do so because they are deceived by the evil one - we see this in the crowds who shouted "crucify him!"

Because they were deceived, the crowds rejected Jesus.

Because they were deceived, the crowds released Barabbas.

Because they were deceived the crowds received judgment.

Recognizing the reality of deception should help us in the way we see ourselves (as vulnerable to deception), the way we see our enemies (deceived by the devil, needing our compassion), and the way we see persecution itself, which often looks and feels like the devil is winning, when in reality it is an instrument Christ is using to build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail  against it!