The Grandest Holiday of the year has now passed and people are still cleaning up plastic grass, eggs and the leftover remnants of company. It was so cold here that we did not put up many of the decorations we had in previous years. We did however light our lantern and put ceramic figures of the resurrection scene around it. At the table each of us took turns saying what questions we thought each of the figures would have asked post resurrection. Some of these included: Why did Jesus say “I thirst” when He was the living water? (This from a ceramic woman we think is Mary). “Why was it so bright when the angel showed up” (The guard). And then someone thought Jesus would ask where the tartar sauce was since later on, they had fish. Some years are more spiritual than others, but who doesn’t like tartar sauce?
I became fascinated with one of the characters in the Easter narrative this year. He just happened to share the same name as Jesus. If you did not know this – there were hundreds of men named Jesus at the time of the Passion of the Christ and many were crucified that same day. Talk about confusing. The enemy thought the Right One, who came to seek and save the lost would somehow get lost in the crowd. “Sssee you’re just a number among many, no one will even remember you were here.” It’s impossible to pull the wool over the eyes of the One they call Shepherd, just saying.
Scripture tells us that because of envy they crucified Christ. Jesus said He was chosen. Jealousy wants what someone has; envy just wants them to be stripped of any potential blessing, joy or favor. “So Jesus, you think you’re all that and a bag of chips? You don’t know everything!” In Christ’s scenario– chosen meant selected for Death, though innocent, He was crucified according to the popular vote of the crowd. He was Chosen before birth to die. That’s a popularity contest no one would want to win. Don’t ever believe that the majority is right because of their numbers – in this case they were deadly, eternally and permanently wrong. Truth does not change based on the largest numbers. Jesus died on His cross- very alone. “Well, we think…” Nope, what does Jesus say, what would Jesus do? Consider it was during a time of purification and holiness that the religious people plotted Jesus the Christ’s death. Religion had gone very, very wrong.
So back to our rogue imposter – the other Jesus that was Unchosen. He may have slipped your eye before because not much is written about him. Mark tells us he was bound with the other protestors in the riots he stirred up and thrown with them in a cell. He had a cause and unlike the milieu of meddlers around him, was willing to stand up for it. Seems the people maybe even liked this guy as he represented their opinions. He had given voice to their discontent. They wanted people to know things needed to change — but they wouldn’t go as far as wanting this guy to die even though he was a murderer. He was popular – but wasn’t chosen by the high priest. He was chosen by the people. He was the unchosen one.
Being unchosen saved his life. He wanted to help, but not to die. That sets him apart from Jesus the Christ right there. The common folk however were yelling for him to be released, he was the “other one.” He was notorious in those parts, “notable” scripture tells us. Only disciple John, Jesus’ close friend, gives us insight into him. He simply cannot stomach this guy being associated with Jesus in anyway, so he tells us that he was a “robber” – a sneaky snake. Later editions of the Bible scrubbed rogue Jesus’ name out to help us avoid confusion. That’s frustrating because knowing his real name helps us identify with his sin, the unfair trade and depth of redemption.
This imposter rogue, riot guy’s story is pretty straight forward unlike the story about Judas. I never understood why all the “news” about Judas was so twisted until this year (USA news spin). Judas repented with remorse. True remorse means money gets returned, and items restored, not just cheap words. True repentance means a life change, not just a sloshy “I’m sorry”. Judas did that and the news cycle should have changed — but it didn’t. They knew in time that the real Jesus was innocent but the gossip, rumors, slander and envy – laden hate was already in motion. No wonder the real story never accurately got recorded. Bribes, sell-outs and cover ups prevented it. The Potters field caught the attention of the crowd and the investigative reporting stopped. It’s the magician’s bunny – “look over here” to divert attention away from the critical thing at hand.
So back to this other Jesus, the unchosen one. The crowd in Matthew 27 is made up of soldiers, regular folks, men and women – from every belief system and nationality. It is not made up of only Jews. Telling people that, was just another magicians trick to fuel anti-Semitism. Caiaphas, prophesied that One should die for the nation. Real Jesus was causing people to believe in Him and the religious leaders were afraid that they would lose their nation over His teachings. The fight in the nation was mounting. Those standing behind rogue Jesus wanted Him released. Real Jesus, not even defending Himself, had previously told people He was the Chosen One. Envy says I don’t want this successful person who is XYZ to get rewards/favor. Envy wants to quash anything that looks, smells or feels like God’s or man’s favor. It’s like crabs in a basket, all remaining trapped.
Both real and rogue Jesus were chosen and unchosen that day.
Rogue Jesus escaped death and was unchosen for the cross. Whew! Rogue Jesus was chosen by popular vote to remain alive. Chosen Jesus Christ was scourged, mocked and crucified. The crowd did not pick Him believing the “other guy” represented them best. So true. Unchosen Jesus Christ, did not get the acclaim that “notable” rogue Jesus did but He was chosen to ascend to Heaven and sit by the right side of God, chosen to return by His Father. Part of the Irony is that rogue Jesus’ name (Jesus Barabbas) literally means the son of the father. What a mind twister.
It’s past Easter and we know where Jesus was going and about His return, but where did Jesus Barabbas go? History remains silent. While the One who died so that ALL lives could matter was crucified and resurrected, the guy who was a murderer and thief got off totally free. I’m guessing Barabbas did not riot that decision. Pretty amazing. Did Jesus Barabbas simply go home? Did he celebrate? Did he settle down and work a 9 to 5 job?
Would he or would we, walk, talk, work or rest differently after being set free? What would Jesus – Barabbas do Monday morning?
It’s the same question we have to answer. I am saved from destruction, damnation and death. What do I do with that information? I know Jesus is at the right hand of the father, interceding for you, for me. Fully God and divine. We identify with the other guy more readily. How do I walk about the week in Barabbas’ shoes? Back to insurrection vs. resurrection? Does he visit Jesus grave only to find it empty? Does he flee Jerusalem that night and run to Emmaus to get a donkey and get far, far away? Hmm? Back to robbery and rioting?
Or maybe… wanting real news and a real Messiah he could follow this Chosen One’s life and example? I don’t want to follow in His miracles or footsteps because He’s NO LONGER THERE. I don’t want to look back for His shadow or yesteryears revival, I want to hear His voice TODAY and actively, willingly go WITH HIM, wherever He is going. If I were Barabbas I would:
- Realize my life is now a gift and not by my works, skills, talents
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph.2:8-9)
- Get in the word and find out what is really true
If I were Barabbas I would diligently search the scriptures and then listen carefully to Peter teaching:” But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, (WHY?) so that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous Light;”(1 Pet.2:9)
- Seek out godly mentors to stay on track and in truth
If I were Barabbas I would go find John, who called me some awful names (true but painful) and have him explain 1 John 1:9 to me, slowly.
- Be a vessel for Christ to shine through
Then, if I were Jesus Barabbas I would focus on decreasing so real Jesus could increase. Whatever the cost. I would ask John to tell me the story of Lazarus where Jesus tells them that they have NO light within them. I would ask for Jesus to shine HIS light through me. I would make room in my heart and life for that to happen on a regular basis.
I’d also go find Toby (Mac) Maccabees and daily sing “Light Shine Bright” and connect with Jesus protesters disciples and live in a manner that glorifies Christ. I don’t know what Barabbas did Monday morning or any morning thereafter but like him, guilty, sin-laden and not capable of earning salvation, life now CAN NOT be the same. That unchosen, unpopular guy on the cross and His resurrection= CHANGES EVERYTHING!
If JB goes forward, in spite of his life of sin, he can walk into a bright future – provided by an unpopular, unchosen, bloodied, envied, yet loved Savior. He faced the same choices we face today. Redemption precedes radical change. How will you walk out the message of the resurrection? What would Jesus do? What would Jesus Barabbas do? Because of Him we can live shining bright in a dark world. Chosen, free.
2018 RenaeRoche