Barabbas
Am I the last or only Christian who has not caught this revelation? I guess it doesn’t matter, because I figured it out, no matter when.
Jesus had just come from Caiaphas the high priest of Israel having never answered him a word. So, he sent Jesus to the Governor of Rome, Pontius Pilate [1]. The conversation between Jesus and Pilate is for another time and blog. I’m only interested now in telling you of Christ’s illumination to me about Barabbas.
Caiaphas put Pilate between a rock and a hard place. He couldn’t find anything Jesus had done wrong, but yet here He stood in front of the Governor, and a huge crowd including the clergy who were in front of the pack demanding Pilate intervene.
Pilate asked the crowd, “Who shall I release?” It was boisterous and unanimous, “Give us Barabbas.” It was customary that Pontius Pilate would release one prisoner of their choice. But then
v22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
v23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. [Matthew 27:22, 23 KJV]
What man has meant for bad, God has meant for good [2]. And boy did He. Thank you, Jesus. Jesus was born to die [3]
Like Monk said, “Here’s the thing” I believe that Barabbas is a metaphor for mankind, a mankind that needs saving and for Jesus to take their place, or for those who ask for it. Barabbas was a murderer and very wicked and evil man. So, we can say that he was corrupt and a desperately wicked human-being. So is man [4], but because of Jesus, Barabbas was set free. When we accept Jesus, he will set us free as well.
Jesus, thank you for setting me free [5] and for eternal life [6] with you. I am crucified with you Lord [7] and have become sons of yours [8], and I will dwell in your house forever [9]. In your precious name, AMEN
For God so loved the world.
[1] You can find a blow by blow of this in Matthew 26, 27
[2] Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28
[3] John 12:27; Psalm 22:15, 16; Isaiah 53:5
[4] Jeremiah 17:9
[5] Galatians 5:1
[6] John 3:16
[7] Galatians 2:20
[8] John 1:12
[9] Psalm 23:6
