This passage gives me chills. Peter’s reference to Barabbas is more than just historical, it’s deeply personal. He’s not just calling out the people in front of him; he’s speaking to all of us. Before following Jesus, we too chose the world. We may not have shouted “Give us Barabbas!” but with our lives, our choices, and our priorities, we denied Jesus all the same. Peter himself had denied Jesus just days earlier not with shouts, but with silence, with fear just like many of us have.
This moment in Acts echoes the piercing words of James 4:4: “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” It’s a line in the sand. You’re either a friend of God and an enemy of the world, or a friend of the world and an enemy of God. That hits hard. Honestly, it makes sense why people get pulled into the world into its pleasures, its promises of success, into its pain and distractions. Whether it’s chasing status, seeking comfort, or being wounded by other Christians, these things can pull our eyes away from Jesus. Scripture is clear: there’s a real enemy who wants you to fall in love with the world so you’ll never experience the depth of relationship God offers.
Think about it, raising kids, looking successful, getting that dream car, setting a new PR in golf, it all seems so satisfying on the surface. Especially when compared to following Jesus, which requires admitting you’re broken and in need of saving. That’s not a popular message. When you stop being a friend of the world, something amazing happens. God changes your appetite. He breaks things in your life that you thought were unchangeable, just like the lame man who was healed in this passage. His legs didn’t get stronger because of his own efforts. He was healed through faith in the name of Jesus. Where in your life are you still cozy with the world? What feels impossible to change? It’s not about striving harder. It’s not about proving anything. It’s about making room for God to do what only He can do.