Those convicted of crimes during the insurrection on January 6, 2021, have been pardoned by the new President, the person accused of actually fomenting the insurrection. Reactions to the pardons vary, depending on other beliefs. Do you believe the 2020 election was lost or stolen? The answer to that question determines whether or not you even label the events in the Capitol that January day an insurrection—although police were attacked and a secure governmental building breached. One view is that those pardoned were heroes fighting a tyrannical, overreaching government. When that government arrested and imprisoned them, those heroes became hostages. The other view is that they were dangerous law-breakers who committed crimes that needed to be punished.
The new President had promised to set the “heroes and hostages” free. Yet some of them had violently attacked law enforcement officers. A few days before the actual pardons, the incoming Vice President said that those who had committed violence obviously shouldn’t be pardoned. Wading through this looked complicated—until the new President reportedly said, “F*** it, release them all.”
The new President isn’t the only one who thought these people were heroes. The view that those convicted of crimes on January 6th are heroes is also widely held by the white evangelical Christian community. That same community was an important voting bloc that helped usher the President back into office.
I’m reminded that this is not the first time in history religion joined forces with the one person with the authority to pardon in order to gain the release of a person convicted of insurrection. As the saying attributed to Mark Twain goes: “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”
A raucous mob of religious stalwarts gathered on a day centuries ago outside a palace. Like many of those gathered in the Capitol on January 6, they were religious folks who had a bone to pick with the government and a desire to see their weakened nation become great again. They were there “to ask Pilate to do for them what he usually did at that time”—release a prisoner.
The crowd wanted the release of Jesus Barabbas. By ironic coincidence that same day, another person, also named Jesus, had been handed over to Pilate.
We like to think the crowd was there to see what would happen to the second Jesus, our Jesus, the one we call Jesus the Christ. They weren’t. Our Jesus was not an important figure to them. He had been rounded up in a secluded garden with little fanfare and had been handed over just thatmorning to Pilate. He hadn’t been tried or questioned yet. It wasn’t the age of the internet; word would not have gotten out. No one rallied a crowd to meet up at the palace to see what was going to happen to our Jesus. In fact, the opposite happened—out of fear, his followers dispersed.
The crowd was there because they knew it was the day a prisoner of their choosing would be pardoned. They were there to gain the pardon of Jesus Barabbas.
In an attempt to paint those at the scene as really bad and stupid people, we conjure up an image of Barabbas as a murderous lunatic. It’s important to remind ourselves that Jesus Barabbas was no ordinary prisoner nor a lunatic. Rome would have no need to make a spectacle out of a lunatic and no one would have shown up to gain his release. Jesus Barabbas was not a lunatic; he was someone willing to lead the Jews against Rome so the Jewish religion could become great again. Rome decided to execute Jesus Barabbas in an awful, painful manner to send the message that insurrection would not be tolerated
We juxtapose our image of Barabbas with an image of the serene and quiet Jesus, to make those who called for the release of Barabbas look like horrible people.
They were not horrible. They were human, like you and me. They wanted their nation to be great again. They wanted freedom of religion. They were compelled to get out from under an oppressive government so their religion could once again have the prominence it deserved.
Aren’t these the hopes and dreams of many, including the modern white evangelical church? Yet problems arise for the white evangelical church because they claim to be following Jesus the Christ instead of Jesus Barabbas. Jesus the Christ, who said the greatest shall be the least.
Matthew 27 says that Pilate understood the chief priests had handed Jesus over out of envy. Pilate understood Jesus had gotten under the skin of the Jewish leaders, but Pilate did not see Jesus as a threat to Rome. The peasant Jesus had come to Pilate at just the right time—he didn’t want to release Barabbas, because Barabbas was a threat. The text makes clear Pilate tried to steer the crowd into asking for the release of Jesus.
Why would the crowd choose Barabbas instead of Jesus? Wouldn’t you choose the one promising to make you great again? The crowd was also influenced by the religious leaders. Matthew says they “stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas.”
Religious leaders and political leaders have a way of “stirring up the crowd,” and crowds have a way of being unaware they are being played. Human power always plays the masses in order to stay in power.
The frothed up crowd chanted for Barabbas, a name which means “son of the father.” The crowd wanted the son of the father, but they didn’t want the son of God. How painful those words must have sounded in the ear of Jesus, as he stood alongside in silence. Perhaps he remembered the words spoken at his baptism: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus didn’t say a word. He did not intervene or attempt to set the record straight. He did not point out the differences between Barabbas and himself. Instead, it’s easy to imagine him saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
A couple of thousand years later, we are offered a similar choice. Two men. Both offering freedom. One offers freedom from a government that is perceived as not adequately protecting the religious needs of white evangelical Christians. His offer is freedom from perceived oppression. As he said to a gathering of Christians, “You are so important. You do such an incredible job—and you keep the country together. And the more powerful you become, the better the country is going to be. So I’m just with you all the way.”
The other still says, “the greatest shall be the least.”
One offers greatness and power. The other says, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be lifted up.”
One says he was saved by God to make America great again. The other gave his life as a ransom for all.
Two different people with two different definitions of greatness. One offers a more concrete “greatness” than the lowly meekness of the second.
Has anything changed in two thousand years? Jesus the Christ offers sacrifice over self-preservation. He suggests we turn our other cheek when slapped by our enemies. Barabbas killed the enemy! Barabbas offered answers. Jesus offered silence. People want answers.
Can we claim to be following Jesuswhile simultaneously chanting the name Barabbas? We cannot follow both, for they are heading in very different directions.
One man wielded the sword, the other suffered it.
One man took life, the other gave it.
One man was willing to kill for freedom, the other died for it.
As I seek to understand following a “Jesus” in today’s world, it’s most important to answer this question: which Jesus? Jesus Barabbas, who offers victory in this world over my enemies”? Am I looking for a Jesus who will preserve my religious liberty, my rights, and help me be more powerful? Or am I following Jesus the Christ, who ate with tax collectors and sinners and spoke the radical words found in the Sermon on the Mount?
“Enter the narrow gate,” Jesus the Christ said in that famous sermon, “for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.” The job of the Christ follower has always been to find and stay on the narrow road; the narrow road mapped out by Jesus. Sadly, we often find ourselves travelling the wide road pioneered by Jesus Barabbas, out of our needs for a greatness and relevance—all the while professing ourselves to be on the narrow road.
“Greatness and relevance” is very appealing message. There’s a reason the road is wide and many travel it. There’s a reason it resonates with voters through all ages—including me. It’s understandable why and how it happened then and continues to happen today.
12 Responses
Thank you for this contrasting view of two ‘Jesus’s which help make my choices more clear as I try to walk the road we are now on in this country.
This is a seductively written essay. If you are not aware of the truth of 1/6/21, this essay will reinforce everything that the Dominant Cultural Narrative has been telling us to believe about that day.
This essay, however, assumes and promulgates a number of lies.
I was at the Capitol that day. I saw firsthand what happened. I was in the crowd with the people who were protesting an election that any sentient and honest person would admit was irregular, to say the least.
The crowd was overwhelmingly composed of simple, peaceful people. Where I stood (I didn’t go in the Capitol) the crowd was singing the National Anthem, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and praying the Lord’s Prayer. Meanwhile, there were numerous middle-aged men walking through the crowd encouraging us to climb up into the Capitol veranda and make our way into the building. The facts are only now starting to come out that these men were FBI and other government agency people who were there to foment violence and chaos.
The best example, from where I stood, was a masked-up man now known as “scaffold commander”. He was up on top of a two-story scaffold, with a megaphone, encouraging the crowd to advance onto the veranda. He was saying things like, “Patriots, this is your last chance to take back your country!” and other urgent and inciting statements. The police were all around him, and could have easily neutralized him by taking his megaphone away. They didn’t.
Also while we were singing and praying, Capitol Police and DC Police were randomly throwing smoke grenades and flash bombs into the crowd.
There were, as everyone knows, violent interactions between police and protesters and people posing as protesters. These occurred mostly in areas where people could be gathered into small areas (against barricades, walls, tunnels, doors, and hallways). Some protesters committed violence, some were desperate to stay alive, and some were trying to keep police (Lila Morris) from beating a dying protester (Rosanne Boyland).
I could say much more about that day, but everyone associated with the RJ community whom I have contacted would rather not hear my story. For example, a few years ago I reached out to a prominent professor who speaks on Christian Nationalism. I told this person I was at J6 and would like to share my story privately with this person (at the time, I was mildly concerned about the FBI arresting me in an early morning raid). I offered to come to the city where this person’s place of higher learning was located. This professor showed no interest in my story and was satisfied with the Soviet-styled J6 Committee’s work that was intended to whitewash the acts of that day and stop Trump from being able to run for President.
Twain: “ A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
The truth is catching up. I pray that the author of this essay, and the readers of it, can open their eyes to what really happened and see the truth. I know that’s not easy; the Dominant Cultural Narrative has conditioned many of us to hate each other.
Thank you, thank you for sharing your personal experience on J6 and this reply. Thank you for posting on RJ the truth what many people do not want to read or hear. There are many posts I no longer read due to their bias and hatred of a duly elected President.
Rick, so true. I was also trained as an engineer, but your article stopped me in my tracks this morning. As an engineer I was taught to look for order and answers. While all the Jesus Barabbases, past and present, have lured humanity and subjugated so many of us in our churches with as much, Jesus Christ continues to point us by the power of the Spirit to the truth.of the cross. Not the order we hunger for but a world turned upside down. Not the answers we are expecting, but rather the truth about who we are to be and to whom we belong. Thank you for your timely article.
Friends, I am stunned by contrast between the “truth” of Rick Patterson’s essay and the “truth” of Marty Wondaal’s world.
Is there any possible bridge between the two discourses?
I, for one, refuse to wallow in that binary world, hating the “enemy” within and without.
Love for God and others must still be our primary goal. With God’s help, we will find a way to reach out to all sides and love each other.
Showing vulnerability, willing to admit who we are and what we believe, being willing to listen to our foes, and choosing the right Jesus.
This will take time and patience, and wisdom and discernment. “Test the spirits, to see if they are ‘of God'” (I John)
The Colossian Forum can help congregations, individuals and groups learn to talk with each other “on the other side.” More input from groups like them is badly needed.
Amen. Thank you for writing this, brother.
Thank you Marty for your informative reply regarding the J 6
While Trumps character is often a bit uncomfortable, it saddens me to read so many untrue statements from the “other side” There is a reason Trump, even with his character traits, won the election in a land slide. The last four years were a mess. They talk about the rich paying their fair share, Obviously they don’t wish to discuss the millions that Biden & his clan took in and never even declared , much less pay taxes on it. Many many other false statements about what the new administration is going to do. All the news media is biased and uses partial truths or statements to sell their view. My heart bleeds too for innocent people that want a better life in the U.S. But there is a legal way to come in, the boarder situation is horrible.
I only know what I saw on my computer screen. I saw the name of Jesus stitched onto the same flag as the name of Donald Trump.
I saw people carrying a poster of Jesus in a MAGA hat
I saw a noose.
I believe the white Christian Maga movement has abandoned the message of Jesus. This article makes the message of Jesus clear and I am thankful you wrote it.
You’ve certainly staked much of your life on what you saw on your computer screen. What if you’re wrong? Granted, there were a lot of tacky signs and flags, but then, as they say, there’s no accounting for taste. The noose and gallows were probably set up by paid government agitators.
As for the “white Christian Maga movement” – I’m not sure exactly what your definition of that is. I’m white, I’m Christian, I voted for and support Trump (despite all his faults and foibles). I’m absolutely sure of the “message of Jesus” in my life. Because, not only was I in the crowd on J6, but, absent my Savior, I was in the crowd in front of Pilate 2000 years ago. Thank you Jesus!
How are you with the message of Jesus? I’d be willing to talk.
And I would too. I will get in touch.
For human actions to be considered true, they must be verifiable.
I wish you well in your conversation as you discuss/compare judgments/facts and proof.
Thanks for writing this. I want to focus on your wise description of the two Jesuses.
The Bible I use most is an NIV (1996 I think). So I was floored when I read a newer NIV (2013?) that had “Jesus” before the name “Barabbas.” It stopped me in my tracks. Two Jesuses?
I nearly stopped breathing when a few minutes later I learned that the name Barabbas means, “son of the father.”
What?
Poor Pilot. While I could not find any fault in Jesus and even his wife told him to have nothing to do with him, still he caved to the wims of the crowd. Poor guy even washed his hands to suggest he was innocent as he turned Jesus (the Christ) over to be flogged and crucified. But he will also be famous. We recite his name every time we say the Apostle’s Creed.
The story of Barabbas is in all four Gospels. My personal conviction is it is because this story is such a clear example of the Gospel. It is our story. Truth be told, it is my story.
My other name is Barabbas.
The innocent Jesus took the place of the guilty Jesus. The guilty Jesus was set free. No charge against him.
II Cor. 5:21.
This is our story. Again, this is my story.
Thanks for sparking this Gospel story with your article.