We all admire an athlete, a leader, or a mentor—Tom Brady has always been that person for me. Admiration is natural; it means we see qualities we aspire to. And Jesus is admired more than anyone in history, even by people who don’t believe He’s God. Some admire His compassion, others His justice, others His moral teachings. But admiration can become a spiritual cop‑out—a way to feel connected to Jesus without submitting to Him. Admiration lets us pick and choose the parts of Jesus we like while ignoring the parts that confront us, creating a version of Him that fits our politics, preferences, and lifestyle. But the real Jesus doesn’t coexist with our sin or bend to our agenda; He calls us not to admiration but to worship, and worship requires surrender. As we begin chapter 15 of Mark, we see this contrast vividly in the story of Pilate and Barabbas, where Jesus is condemned to die and a murderous revolutionary is set free—a moment that forces us to decide who Jesus truly is to us.
