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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 \u201cI thirst\u201d when He was the living water? (This from a ceramic woman we think is Mary). \u201cWhy was it so bright when the angel showed up\u201d (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\u2019t like tartar sauce?<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 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. \u201cSssee you\u2019re just a number among many, no one will even remember you were here.\u201d It\u2019s impossible to pull the wool over the eyes of the One they call Shepherd, just saying.<\/p>\n

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. \u201cSo Jesus, you think you\u2019re all that and a bag of chips? You don\u2019t know everything!\u201d In Christ\u2019s 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\u2019s a popularity contest no one would want to win. Don\u2019t ever believe that the majority is right because of their numbers \u2013 in this case they were deadly, eternally and permanently wrong. Truth does not change based on the largest numbers.<\/em><\/strong> Jesus died on His cross- very alone. “Well, we think\u2026”  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\u2019s death. Religion had gone very, very wrong.<\/p>\n

So back to our rogue imposter \u2013 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\u2019t go as far as wanting this guy to die even though he was a murderer.  He was popular \u2013 but wasn\u2019t chosen by the high priest. He was chosen by the people. He was the unchosen one.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cother one.\u201d He was notorious in those parts, \u201cnotable\u201d scripture tells us.  Only disciple John, Jesus\u2019 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 \u201crobber\u201d \u2013 a sneaky snake. Later editions of the Bible scrubbed rogue Jesus\u2019 name out to help us avoid confusion. That\u2019s frustrating because knowing his real name helps us identify with his sin, the unfair trade and depth of redemption.<\/p>\n

This imposter rogue, riot guy\u2019s story is pretty straight forward unlike the story about Judas. I never understood why all the \u201cnews\u201d about Judas was so twisted until this year (USA news spin).  Judas repented with remorse<\/em>. True remorse means money gets returned, and items restored, not just cheap words. True repentance means a life change, not just a sloshy \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d. Judas did that and the news cycle should have<\/em> changed — but it didn\u2019t. They knew in time that the real Jesus was innocent<\/em><\/strong> 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\u2019s the magician\u2019s bunny \u2013 \u201clook over here\u201d to divert attention away from the critical thing at hand.<\/p>\n

So back to this other Jesus, the unchosen one. The crowd in Matthew 27 is made up of soldiers, regular folks, men and women \u2013 from every belief system and nationality. It is not made up of only Jews<\/strong>. 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\u2019t want this successful person who is XYZ to get rewards\/favor. Envy wants to quash anything that looks, smells or feels like God\u2019s or man\u2019s favor. It\u2019s like crabs in a basket, all remaining trapped.<\/p>\n

Both real and rogue Jesus were chosen and unchosen that day.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cother guy\u201d represented them best. So true. Unchosen Jesus Christ, did not get the acclaim that \u201cnotable\u201d 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\u2019 name (Jesus Barabbas) literally means the son of the father.  What a mind twister.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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\u2019m 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?<\/p>\n

Would he or would we, walk, talk, work or rest differently<\/em> after being set free? What would Jesus \u2013 Barabbas do Monday<\/em> morning?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the same question we have to answer. I am saved from destruction, damnation and death. What do I do with that information<\/em>? 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\u2019 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?  <\/p>\n

Or maybe\u2026 wanting real news and a real Messiah he could follow this Chosen One\u2019s life and example? I don\u2019t want to follow in His miracles or footsteps because He\u2019s NO LONGER THERE. I don\u2019t 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:<\/p>\n

\n
1. Realize my life is now a gift and not by my works, skills, talents<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

   ^{\u201c<\/sup><\/strong>For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith\u2014and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God\u2014 not by works, so that no one can boast.\u201d (Eph.2:8-9)<\/p>\n}

   \n
   1. Get in the word and find out what is really true<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      If I were Barabbas I would diligently search the scriptures and then listen carefully to Peter teaching:\u201d ^{<\/sup><\/strong>But you are<\/em> 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<\/em> darkness into<\/em> His marvelous Light;\u201d(1 Pet.2:9)<\/p>\n}

      \n
      1. Seek out godly mentors to stay on track and in truth<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         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.<\/p>\n

         \n
         1. Be a vessel for Christ to shine through<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            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<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

            I\u2019d also go find Toby (Mac) Maccabees and daily sing \u201cLight Shine Bright\u201d and connect with Jesus protesters<\/span> disciples and live in a manner that glorifies Christ. I don\u2019t 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!  <\/p>\n

            If JB goes forward, in spite of his life of sin, he can walk into a bright future \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

            2018 RenaeRoche<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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