{"id":782,"date":"2024-04-02T17:56:37","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T17:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodspringsfgc.org\/?p=782"},"modified":"2024-04-02T18:00:57","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T18:00:57","slug":"dont-choose-the-wrong-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodspringsfgc.org\/?p=782","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Choose the Wrong Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Don\u2019t follow the crowd. Remember, the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus! They picked him not because he was a good guy or they liked him but because they hated the truth. We\u2019re not called to follow the crowd or even the crowd who call themselves \u201cChristians;\u201d we\u2019re called to follow the Christ!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barabbas is mentioned by name eleven times in Scripture, all connected with Jesus\u2019 trial. His release is recorded in all four Gospels. Barabbas\u2019 rap sheet is extensive. Matthew 27:16 calls him \u201ca notorious prisoner,\u201d <\/em>infamous for his criminal conduct. Mark 15:7 (NASB) labels him as an \u201cinsurrectionist who had committed murderer.\u201d<\/em> Luke 23:19 (ETRV) indicates \u201cBarabbas was a man who was in jail for starting a riot in the city and for murder.\u201d <\/em>Some scholars say he was a zealot who revolted against Roman rule with terrorist tactics. John 18:40 (NKJV) simply says, \u201cNow Barabbas was a robber.\u201d<\/em> Peter added, \u201cYou denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you<\/strong>, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead\u201d<\/em> (Ac. 3:14). In slang terms, Barabbas was a rude, crude dude\u2014public enemy number one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was customary to release a prisoner during the Passover. When this custom began and who started it is unknown. Scripture clearly indicates that Pilate wanted to release Jesus (Jn. 19:12). Peter later reminded the crowd at the Temple, \u201cWhom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go<\/strong>\u201d<\/em> (Ac. 3:13). Pilate hoped the people would choose Jesus and was shocked when they chose Barabbas instead. Three times in John\u2019s Gospel Pilate said, \u201cI find no faultin Him\u201d <\/em>(Jn. 18:38; 19:4, 6). As a prosecutor, Pilate routinely proved people guilty. He didn\u2019t want to crucify Jesus but he ended up doing what politicians do\u2014he caved in to pressure from the people. \u201cSo Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd<\/strong>, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus . . . to be crucified\u201d<\/em> (Mk. 15:15). The mob even threatened Pilate with treason against Rome if He released Jesus, \u201cIf you let this Man go, you are not Caesar\u2019s friend\u201d<\/em> (Jn. 19:12). Trapped, Pilate theatrically washed his hands to guilt trip the mob, \u201cI am innocent of the blood of this just person\u201d (Mt. 27:24). Then Pilate reluctantly ordered Christ to be crucified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a mind-blowing bombshell: multiple sources (books, commentaries, articles, and even some Bible versions) say Barabbas\u2019 real name was JESUS! In a few of the original Greek texts he is called by an expanded name \u201cJesus Bar-Abbas.\u201d In fact, the Message, the New English Translation, and the New International Version all call him \u201cJesus Barabbas.\u201d \u201cPilate asked them, \u2018Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas<\/strong>, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?\u2019\u201d<\/em> (Mt. 27:17, NIV) Jesus is the New Testament equivalent of Joshua and was a common name among Jews. Barabbas, meaning \u201cson of the father,\u201d is more of a distinction than a name (like Simon Barjona or son of John\u2014Mt. 16:17). So, Pilate was really asking which Jesus do you choose? Do you want an imposter named Jesus or do you want the REAL Jesus? The big question is why isn\u2019t it recorded that way in all Bible versions today? Scholars explain that scribes and translators gradually omitted it because they couldn\u2019t bear to believe that such a vile man shared the same sacred name with Jesus\u2014the Just One. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t miss the irony. The crowd chose the wrong Jesus! They chose evil over good, a vicious villain over a virtuous hero, a murderer over a minister, a robber over a redeemer, and a con man over the Christ. They chose a son of Satan over the Son of God, a man of hatred and violence over a man of love and peace, a mobster over the Messiah. A taker of lives was traded for the giver of life. A guilty, career criminal was traded for the only truly innocent man. People still choose the wrong Jesus today. They look to the wrong heroes as their saviors and role models. They turn to celebrities, movie stars, musicians, singers, performers, athletes, or politicians. Who does Hollywood and our society glamorize and idolize, the righteous or the rebellious? Celebrities who live wicked lives are lauded and applauded as heroes while moral and upright people are often villainized or marginalized as zeroes. What a warped value system! People also choose things over Jesus such as hobbies, careers, entertainment, recreation, addictions, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like it\nor not, Barabbas is an ugly picture of US.We can all identify with\nBarabbas and, like looking in the mirror, we don\u2019t like what we see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n