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!