Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27
“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.
“What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.
“Crucify him!” they shouted.
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15
Luke 23:13-25
John 18:28-40 Read each gospels account of Barabbas!
And I thought; "that was me standing there"
A sinner...unclean...and Christ willingly stood there knowing He was going to take the punishment for my "crimes"...and I was going to get to walk away..free! Not having to suffer the punishment I deserve!
I tried to find anymore about Barabbas in scripture..but didn't see anything beyond those previously mentioned
So I don't know the rest of his story...but it could have gone something like this:
"Free to go" that's what they are telling me! This is crazy. The crowd chose me to be set free! I thought for sure they would choose me to be crucified. They call me an insurrectionist. Fighting against the government, I killed a man in a skirmish with some Roman guards protecting the officials we were intent on harassing. In Rome's eyes a serious crime! The people I lived with and roamed with didn't care about authority or laws. That's why I got on so well with them! You cheat me I will give you what you deserve. If I you get in my way I might just as soon kill you as look at you. I take what and who I wanted and that wasn't going to change until I was arrested. I figured I would end up here one day.
But now, I wouldn't have figure on this! ...Pilate drags me up next to this guy..I have heard him called the Christ...some wandering preacher. They are saying his crime is blasphemy..saying he claims to be a king of the Jewish people! Pretty bold in this day and age, if you ask me. He seems to be a bit of an insurrectionist himself! But I don't think he had killed anyone..just seemed to stir up trouble where ever he went. I think he made the religious leaders nervous. When Pilate put us side by side and said choose...I figured this was some sort of show..a way for Pilate to put the decision on someone else...and he did...he literally washed his hands to show the crowd this was their decision not his.
And they chose me to go free and live! CRAZY...they had no guarantee I wouldn't go out and do worse next time! And this Jesus...didn't cry out....didn't beg for his life....I thought he might start yelling at me...or at least turn to me and say "this should be you".
Nothing! So strange...and his eyes...no fear, no anger....just love....and something akin to sorrow.
So now, sitting outside of the square...here on empty side street...because everyone is still in there screaming for the death of this man. I am all of a sudden uncertain..
I am free...I was going to find some money...which would be easy...houses are empty right now...was going to find some food and drink and try to find the people I fought along side, since none were around from the moment I got arrested.
But I can't seem to move. His eyes don't seem to leave me....as if he is still looking at me. How is it I can be walking free and a man whose crimes were nothing like mine be going to his death? He is dying in my place! I don't want to steal some ones hard earned money or take what isn't mine. Or take another life....how could I...when some one has given theirs for mine!
I know there are those who weren't yelling in the crowd...they were crying...a small number of people who have been following this man around..."Christ followers" I think I have heard them called. If I could find them...if they would just talk to me....I need to know more...I want to know more...I know I can not go and live as before...my life is not mine to live anymore...someone gave theirs in exchange for it....I need, I must, try and live the rest of it, at least in part, as he might live himself.
Remember this is all just conjecture on my part and not in scripture ...other than what I included before
But aren't we all in Barabbas's shoes...sandals...so to speak. Christ was sinless, but He stood up and said "I will take (insert your name) sins on me. I will take whatever punishment that is to be given for them, even death." And once we have accepted that fact...and decide that in accepting that truth it is going to change the way that we live. I am going to be a "Christ follower" in every part of my life. How can I continue in the life I am, knowing what He was willing to do for ME!?
I, personally, couldn't and I knew I needed to surrender ALL to Him and try to live my life according to His plan and purpose.
For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him. Romans 5:6-11
I am a Barabbas..and you are too!. Because whether or not you have chosen to give your life over to Christ and live for Him....doesn't change the fact that HE ALREADY chose to die for your sins. Your salvation is just dependent on whether or not you believe and accept that fact! My prayer is that you realize you have been pardoned, given your freedom and can't live your life for yourself any longer but must live for the One who spared you!
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