Anyone's Son

READ: ISAIAH 53:3-12; MATTHEW 27:15-26; ROMANS 5:6-11; 8:15 I love names. I’m a fiction writer, and every time I start a new book, I have to choose character names. Sometimes one just lands on the character from the very beginning and sticks, but other times I have to do in-depth research about name meanings to pinpoint the name that’s just right. God also likes using names with meanings! The Bible often outright tells us what people’s names mean, but sometimes it doesn’t, even when a name is significant. So it’s left to us to pay attention—and do some research. And that’s the case with today’s passage. You may have heard about Barabbas—he might even make it into your church’s yearly Easter service. When Jesus was taken to be crucified, the governor offered to release one prisoner to the people, as was his tradition during Passover. The people opted for Barabbas—a revolutionary and rebel—to be released instead of Jesus. Barabbas, who had actually committed a crime worthy o...