Sermon Tone Analysis

Barabbas/Choosing Jesus

· Segment 1-Bittersweet

Each year around this time we open the text to this section and I don’t know about you, but it always stirs up these mixed emotions in me.

I don’t think that the term “bittersweet” is accurate, because I think that the word has become trite and overused.

In fact, I am not sure the there is a word that has been created that can most accurately encapsulate the power behind the passion story.

I mean, on one hand, we use words like beautiful land wonderful to describe the cross, or place them even in our lyrics, because of the work that gets done at the cross.

The salvific nature of the cross and the power in the resurrection story.

All of these things are at the very heart of our faith and this is why we call it the Good news!

But the fact is that these events had to transpire to fulfill the plan put in place by God the father himself.

Now there are many theories as to why Jesus had to die.

There are many theories as to what happens mechanically…cosmically, if you will at the cross.

Theologians use words like propitiation and atonement to help explain it.

A lot of our worship songs are written around specific theories of atonement.

But the interesting thing, is that none of these theories were ever agreed upon at any point in the life of the church.

They weren’t written into any of the creeds documented by our early church fathers.

The truth is we really cannot explain what happened at the cross.

The truth is, we really don’t know why Jesus had to die.

And if we search our scriptures, I think we will see that even Jesus questioned it in the garden.

I am convinced that there was a cosmic transaction of sorts take place if you will, but I have learned to make peace with allowing it to remain a mystery, much like many portions of my faith that I expected to find answers for and came up short.

The truth is, I can’t explain to you why Jesus had to die to save you from your sins.

And every time I reread the passion story about the road to Golgotha, I can’t help but feel like there could have been another way.

Each time I read it, there is a part of me that hopes for a different outcome, and I know that sound silly because it had to happen.

But it doesn’t change the way I feel.

I mean, have you watched the Titanic, and you know that the iceberg is coming, but there is just a l=piece of that is hoping that this time, it swerves in time to miss it.

· Segment 2 Who was Barabbas?

o Not a hero

ESV But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

· Why did they choose Barabbas?

o Path of Least resistance/popular opinion

o Poor Leadership

o Blind following

o Uneducated/lazy culture

o Jesus was a radical-harder follow- false prophets

· In what ways do we still choose Barabbas over Jesus?

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