The Devil You Know.....

On Good Friday, my children and I sat down to read the gospel's account of Jesus' crucifixion.  To drive the point home of what Jesus endured for us, I gave them a sheet of paper and asked them to list all the terrible things that Jesus went through because of his love for us.  When we finished reading the passages, we discussed the list.  As we read our lists, we began to discuss what we felt was the worst thing and why.  There was no right or wrong answer.  I just hoped the discussion would help them understand that Jesus didn't simply climb up a cross and die, but that he was tortured to the point where most people would welcome death for no other reason than to end the pain.

Both of the kids thought the lashes were the worst.  It was what I expected.  Being five and seven, my children don't really have a frame of reference when it comes to the other things Jesus endured.  Even though my children have never felt the sting of a cat of nine tails, they reasoned that it was worse than the worse spanking.  Even as adults, most of us have never had to experience being spat upon by a crowd, or having a crown of thorns shoved on our heads.  Inevitably, my oldest child posed the question, "Which do you think was worse Dad?"

I looked at my list and attempted to put myself in Jesus' position.  I tried to think of the physical pain associated with the ordeal.  I thought about the emotional pain and embarrassment of listening to people provide false testimony so that I can be killed.  As I looked at my list, I kept thinking about how Jesus must have felt listening to a crowd clamor for a convicted criminal, a notorious prisoner to be freed so that He could be murdered.  I imagined the chant of the crowd, "Give us Barabbas", "Crucify Him."  The children and I wrapped up our Good Friday discussion, but I began to wonder how a crowd can be persuaded to choose Barabbas.  Why would the spiritual leaders of the time choose to frame a man and incite a crowd to free a convicted criminal at the expense of an innocent man.  Why would the crowd be so receptive to murdering an innocent man for the sake of a notorious one?  Why?

Look at what each individual represented.  There were many men like Barabbas before and there have been many since.  Barabbas did not threaten the way of life that the people had become accustomed to.  The affect that Barabbas had on the people could be quantified.  He was familiar; known.  His influence was limited and the collateral damage was manageable.  When given the choice, the leaders and the people did not choose to call for the crucifixion of both.  There was no talk of Barabbus being innocent.  Barabbas lived that day for the simple reason that he was not Jesus.

Jesus on the other hand was not controllable.  I don't dare describe Jesus as a devil, but I use the phrase based on the thoughts of the Pharisees toward Jesus in Matthew 12.  They saw Jesus as a devil because they did not know who He was; who He is.  Even his disciples, those who ate with him, traveled with him, spoke and fellowshipped with him were left asking, "What kind of man is this?"  Jesus was not controllable.  He spoke openly of being God's son.  He traveled from town to town amassing followers, performing miracles.  He was a man who, when accused in court decided not to speak to defend himself.  With his life seemingly hanging in the balance, his reputation on trial, Jesus did not seek to justify his actions, but simply chose to keep quiet and draw in the dirt.  The Pharisees never did understand what kind of man he was.  They were unable to see that they would not be able to undo what Jesus had done.  They only understood that he was a threat to the status quo.

What about us?  Do we clamor for Barabbas?  I think we do.  We may not verbalize it or openly chant it, but when we chose to operate in the flesh as opposed to the Spirit our lives scream, "Give us Barabbas.  Crucify Christ."  When we choose the lusts of the flesh instead of the contentment of Christ, our actions call out for Barabbas.  When we choose anger, malice, and retaliation over humility, forgiveness and grace, our actions call out for Barabbas.  We choose these things because it is the way we've always been.  We fool ourselves into thinking that these ways of living are of God instead of understanding the parts of us that need to be removed.     

Don't be fooled into thinking that God is interested in keeping the status quo.  Don't become comfortable or complacent with the footholds the enemy may have in your life.  Choose Christ, go and grow!!!!!