The world needs the gospel of surrender not of insurrection.
“But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27 v 20-23)
Barabbas’ full name was Jesus Barabbas (v16): Saviour (Jesus) son of the father (Bar abba = Barabbas). So before us are 2 Saviours who are sons of the father. But there is only one Saviour and only one Son of the Father.
The crowd choose the easy option and they still do. Not liking the Jesus of Nazareth that was being portrayed to them, they choose an easier option. Jesus of Nazareth will disappoint our pre-conceived ideas of what he can do for us and what is expected from us. We cannot follow that Jesus, so we create a different Jesus in our mind, one that isn’t too costly for us, not as demanding. We want a Jesus who is a rebel not a Jesus who surrenders and submits. But our world needs the Saviour Jesus, the Son of God the Father, the one who surrendered to the violence of the cross.
Missions Paul 