From the Pulpit: A tale of two Jesuses

In Matthew 27 we find Pilate, the Roman governor of the region, at a loss. He knows that the Jesus standing in front of him isn’t guilty of any of the charges that have been levied against him, so he employs a convenient custom of the day. It is customary for the governor to release a prisoner of the crowd’s choosing during the festival. He offers them a choice between two men – Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus Barabbas.

In verses 16 and 17 we read, “At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you. Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’” The crowd has a very important choice to make. They could choose to release this Jesus who some believed to be the Messiah. A Jesus who had fed the hungry, healed the sick, loved the unloved, and encouraged people to live a better way. A Jesus who encouraged His followers to love and pray for their enemies. A Jesus who had done lowly jobs, like wash the feet of his own followers.

Who, though, is this other Jesus, this Jesus Barabbas? Barabbas participated in an insurrection against the Roman government and during that riot he committed murder. Treason and murder are pretty serious offenses. He was also believed to be a member of the Zealots, a group of very passionate people seeking to overthrow Roman rule.

It’s understandable why an oppressed people would want to violently overthrow their oppressors. Matthew, in his gospel, is making a very important challenge to his readers. It’s as if he is saying there is the choice to do things the way of Jesus the Christ, or to do things the way of Jesus Barabbas. Do we try to change the world by loving our enemy, by feeding the hungry, by healing the sick, and befriending the outcast? Or do we try to change the world through violence and death?

Ultimately, the crowd shouts for Jesus Barabbas to be released. The crowd chose the way of violence over the way of God’s love. I hope in these weeks leading up to Easter we remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the hope that is offered in His resurrection. May we choose to change the world with the love and hope of Jesus the Christ.