The mob was instigated by the High Priest and other religious leaders. Before the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, they chose Barabbas, who warned about the blood of the innocent Lord Jesus Christ. “And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”” (Matthew 27:25) Lord responded from the cross to such hatred, with love, kindness, and forgiveness. “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.” (Luke 23:34) Yet neither the religious leaders nor the Jews repented. God the Father gave them opportunities to repent so that he could forgive them, but they did not.
1) Rejected resurrection: When the soldiers reported the resurrection to the High priest and religious leaders, they did not believe. To suppress the truth, they bribed the soldiers and spread false reports. (Matthew 28:11-15)
2) Rejected testimony of Apostles: God performed a remarkable miracle of healing the cripple man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple in Jerusalem. Peter and John preached to the crowd who witnessed the miracle to repent. However, the religious leaders tried to silence the Apostles forbidding them to speak, which they did not obey. They filled the city with their teaching. (Acts 3,4,5)
3) Rejected Stephen’s testimony: Stephen with great boldness gave an overview of the history of Israel that runs parallel to the history of rejection of the Messiah. Instead of repenting, they stoned him to death. (Acts 7)
4) Rejected Paul’s testimony: Paul spoke to the crowd as he was arrested, the people did not listen. Later he spoke to the Jewish leaders, they also rejected his testimony twice. (Acts 22; 23; 25)
They hardened their hearts in rebellion repeatedly. (Psalms 95:8; Hebrews 3:15) The result of rejection and lack of repentance was the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, the scattering of the Nation, and eviction from the Promised Land for nearly 1900 years. Millions died because of holocaust. The curse they invited on themselves, and their children ran through many generations.
Do I rebel or repent when convicted by the Spirit of God?