“Here’s reality: Human beings, working together with good community organizers, and following the Wisdom of the Voters and the very best that popular piety, sound civic common sense, and the best of human wisdom have, time and again, shouted “Give us Barabbas!” and chosen to crucify the innocent Son of God. It’s what we do.” — I know this sounds strange…, by Mark Shea
I don’t read anything by Shea anymore, but the instant response that comes to mind is that those who were asking for Barabbas had been whipped up by the religious leaders who got Jesus arrested in the first place.
They weren’t expressing popular piety, civic common sense and human wisdom, they were listening to the experts. Following “wise authority.”
Since I had to go make sure my memory was accurate, I thought I’d include the quotes.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/27/
Jesus before Pilate.
1
* When it was morning,a all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel* against Jesus to put him to death.
2
They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
…
20
h The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus.
21
The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!”
What you say is certainly right. What I take Shea to mean is something like, “Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the LORD guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.”
This post was initially in the “aside” format (which I hope to use more), but I couldn’t figure out how to comment. I had to edit it and change the format to “standard.”