Are Evangelicals betraying the very heart of the Gospel for political power? In this bold and provocative discussion, we draw parallels between the biblical crowd that chose Barabbas over Jesus and modern-day Christians who have thrown their support behind Donald Trump. Has the promise of a quick fix to our cultural and political fears blinded us to the calling of Christ?

VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/6UZrwXs_rdI

Picture this scene in your mind:  Jesus was standing before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who had already declared Jesus innocent of anything worthy of death.  Pilate knew that Jesus was being railroaded and it was “out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him”, so he looked for a way to release Jesus and still keep the peace. Pilate offered the mob a choice: the release of Jesus or the release of Barabbas, a well-known criminal who had been imprisoned “for an insurrection in the city, and for murder” The crowd yelled out for the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Christ. (you can read this in Luke 23).

The election is over. Donald Trump has won, and the decision has been made.  Now, a few weeks into the new presidential term, we are living with the consequences of that choice – for the good and bad.

But for many Evangelicals who supported him, the reality of this decision should give us pause. Christians who voted for Trump need to ask themselves: “did we make the right choice? Or have we, like the crowd in Jerusalem, chosen Barabbas over Jesus?”

This video is not for everyone – it may not apply to you at all.  Or maybe it does.  Really, only you yourself will know.  And I’m sure it will ruffle feathers among some of you, but so be it.  The next thing I want to note, is that Jesus can use anyone for his will – it doesn’t matter how good or bad a person is – they can be used by god for the progression of Gods plan. 

The parallels between the choices made to follow trump and choosing Barabbas are undeniable and clear. The crowd rejected Jesus, the one who offered peace and spiritual reconciliation, and instead chose Barabbas—the one who promised them a quick, violent fix to their earthly problems.  Now, this is in no way suggesting or even comparing Harris to Jesus.  That is not my point at all, nor would it be remotely accurate. 

Today, people are losing their faith – and it’s directly related to the evangelical church and its association with politics.  And the association the churches have with politicians who use the Church, and Jesus, as a means to an end.

Today, MAGA Evangelicals, in their desperation for control and power, have done the same thing the Jews did by voting for Barabbas. They’ve chosen Trump, not because he embodies the values of Christ, but because he represents an immediate solution to their political and cultural fears and enemies. Russell Moore, the editor-in-chief for Christian Today said, “We are the people Jesus warned us about” and that our own emotional temper is being driven by something other than the gospel, in reference to the MAGA Evangelicals he felt he was part of.  

And right now, some of you are saying – or maybe typing up a response already – “We didn’t vote for Trump thinking he was like Jesus! – of course we didn’t do that! We did it because he said he would make things right, get rid of the trans movement, abortion, all that stuff that’s against the bible!  Oh and the economy!”

We’ve heard the justification, the world has heard the justification – there are actual pastors standing in their pulpits claiming that Trump is our warrior, our protector, the one who promises to fix the issues we care about—abortion, law and order, the economy, and more.  Blasphemy.  Jesus is the one who returns to do that.  It’s not our job to put a stop to those things.

But let’s be honest with ourselves: this is no different than the choice the crowd made for Barabbas.

The Jews of the time wanted a warrior king who would overthrow the Roman oppressors – and fair enough – they were oppressed by Rome. But it was still the wrong decision.

Trump is seen as the man who will fight for the Christians, who will take on the enemies they perceive to be the greatest threats. But just like Barabbas, he is a representation of worldly power, not the spiritual transformation Jesus offers.

Christs first coming wasn’t to wield a sword and conquer kingdoms. He came to change hearts.  As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5 verses 18-20, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.“

We true Christians are given the ministry of reconciliation. 

Christians are called to be ambassadors for Christ, to bring reconciliation, not division. But in supporting Trump, we have chosen division, power, and control over the true message of Christ.

Jesus’ teaching is in direct contrast to the mindset that embraces political power and warfare. The call to love and bless those who oppose us stands in stark opposition to the combative rhetoric often used in political campaigns, including those championed by Trump and his supporters.

Luke 6 verse 27-28 – “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

This verse underscores the calling of Christians to be peacemakers, not fighters for political power. Jesus’ followers are called to create peace and reconciliation, not division and conflict. Supporting a worldly king who promises power over peace contradicts this principle.  Furthermore, I argue it puts country and leadership over God.

These verses further emphasize the Christian call to reject earthly solutions, such as those promised by worldly figures, and to seek spiritual reconciliation, peace, and transformation through Christ. The narrative of choosing Barabbas over Jesus is an example of prioritizing the world’s solutions over Christ’s eternal truth.

Now, as we look at the results of this election, we must ask: what have we lost in this decision? MAGA Christians – if you can even call them Christians as they certainly aren’t acting or behaving as Christ would – traded the true calling of Christ for the false promises of a political king.  One that is constantly lying, at that.

Trump’s victory is a victory for earthly power, but it’s a betrayal of the gospel. “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us,” but in desperation for victory in the political realm, some Christians have ignored this calling.

Some Christians have chosen Barabbas over Jesus. They have chosen the man who promises to take care of our earthly problems instead of the one who offers eternal peace and reconciliation.

They’ve given up on the teachings of Christ, which call us to change hearts, to love our enemies, and to bring about a spiritual revolution through peace and love, not through force. As we move forward, we must reflect on the choice we’ve made.

All this deportation, rejection of our neighbors because of their legal status, nothing related to legal status matters to Jesus. 

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

Matthew 25:41-45

We can’t go back now.  We are set on a path that’s now determined, until it’s time to vote and have our voices heard again. 

But remember this:  Jesus doesn’t call us to defy our law unless the law is counter to his own – but if you truly follow Jesus, you won’t be calling for these people to be hunted down and removed from America.  You’ll be inviting them into your home for rest, food, and clothing.  What if, rather than taking sides with Trump, the church provided a refuge for illegal immigrants to gather, where we clothed them, gave them food for their trip back to whatever country they came from, and prayed with them, for their families, and a safe return?  Imagine that being the final thing to happen to them in America?  Is there a more perfect opportunity to spread the love of Jesus to other nations given the situation?

Will we continue to follow the ways of Barabbas, or will we return to the path of Christ, the true Savior of the world? The choice is still ours, even now.