On Sunday, Jesus was honored in a parade, with the people waving palms and shouting Hosannah. Do you know what Hosannah means?
ὡσαννά, hōsanná) is from Hebrew הושיעה־נא, הושיעה נא hôšîʿâ-nā and related to Aramaic ܐܘܿܫܲܥܢܵܐ (ʾōshaʿnā) meaning 'save, rescue, savior'.
In other words, they were greeting, praising, and thanking God for this savior. But their idea of savior, wasn't what we think now. They thought Jesus was coming to throw out the oppressive Roman soldiers. We think Jesus came to save us from our sins.
So Sunday the people are jubilant at seeing Jesus, and then they want Him crucified, on Friday.
Why? Because He didn't overthrow the Romans.
The people were given the choice of releasing Barabbas or Jesus. What was Barabbas in prison for? Insurrection--attempted overthrow of the Roman government.
Before that sinks in, remember how names are in Israel, at the time. "Bar" means "Son of." So Barabbas = Son of Abba. And Abba is another name for God.
Barabbas is the last name. His first name was quite common in those times--Jesus.
Who do you want released? Jesus Bar Abba or Jesus of Nazareth?
Who do you want released? Barabbas who preached overthrowing the Romans, or Jesus who preached "love your enemies?"
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