To follow Christ is to differ from the crowd. To differ from the crowd is to be controversial. To be controversial by differing from the crowd is to run the risk of becoming a scapegoat yourself. And this is exactly what Jesus became—the innocent scapegoat who ended the injustice of scapegoating. Jesus became the sacrificial victim who ended violent sacrifice. In dying at the hands of our sins, Jesus saved us from scapegoating and violent sacrifice. Jesus will never lead a crowd.
