Reflecting on Luke 23:13-25“He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder.” (Luke 23:25)
Forget church, christians, religion and church history for a moment.
Just focus on Jesus and ask yourself, ‘what can we say against him?’
Pilate concluded that Jesus had done nothing to deserve death (v.15).
I would make that even stronger: what he did deserved life!
Sadly church and christianity have not always shown Jesus this way.
It makes sense to me that many people reject God and Jesus because of our failure.
But this says more about human nature than about Jesus.
Like Barabbas, we are a seriously flawed bunch, even the very best of us.
And yet we are quick to exonerate ourselves, while critiquing Jesus.
Jesus stands in stark contrast to Barabbas, but also to us (including christians).
Our world needs more Jesus, not more church or christianity, not more me.
If you are disillusioned by the church, please focus on Jesus!
And if you are a christian, please focus on Jesus.
What our world needs more than anything right now is more of Jesus.
May we release more Jesus – not Barabbas – into the world!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we foolishly crucify all that you represent while we unleash our depravity into the world. Help me to put to death the Barabbas life in me, that your life may take over!
Not only in times like today, but at all times, we/I need to put Jesus first. How do others see Jesus in me from day to day. In all I do He needs to be first infuencing my decisions in all my activities. All for Jesus.
1 All for Jesus! all for Jesus!
all my being’s ransomed pow’rs;
all my eyes see Jesus only;
let my lips speak forth His praise.
All for Jesus! all for Jesus!
let my lips speak forth His praise;
all for Jesus! all for Jesus!
resting now beneath His wings.
2 Let my hands perform His bidding;
let my feet run in His ways;
let my eyes see Jesus only;
let my lips speak forth His praise.
All for Jesus! all for Jesus!
let my lips speak forth His praise;
all for Jesus! all for Jesus!
let my lips speak forth His praise.
3 Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside-
so enchained my spirit’s vision,
looking at the Crucified.
All for Jesus! all for Jesus!
looking at the Crucified;
all for Jesus! all for Jesus!
looking at the Crucified.
4 O what wonder! how amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of Kings,
deigns to call me His beloved,
let me rest beneath His wings.
All for Jesus! all for Jesus
resting now beneath His wings;
all for Jesus! all for Jesus!
resting now beneath His wings.