Barabbas or Jesus?

Of all the men mentioned in the New Testament, Barabbas is one of the most mysterious. His story, involving the timely interaction that he had with Jesus and Pilate, results in my favorite parallel in the entire bible.

Barabbas is revealed to us in the dark, historic, early morning hours when Jesus was arrested and placed before Pilate. Already held in jail as a prisoner, Barabbas was found guilty of robbery and murder. He was obviously a very rebellious person, having caused an insurrection in the city prior to his arrest. If anyone deserved to be on death row awaiting execution, it was Barabbas.

Interestingly enough, a strange custom had been in place during each Passover feast. The Roman governors always pardoned and released a prisoner in honor of the Jews. No one is certain how this practice started. Perhaps it was an ancient custom, or possibly just a traditional good will gesture. Whatever the reason, it certainly was not part of the Jewish law, and surely didn’t do much for upholding justice.

Regardless, during this particular Passover, the peculiar practice of releasing a prisoner was once again to be done. Only on this Passover, the Romans gave the Jews a choice. They could release one of two prisoners: Jesus or Barabbas, freeing one of them from all accusation and penalty. It seems like it should have been a no-brainer. After all, why would anyone want to release Barabbas – a man so barbaric, so dangerous, so evil, and such a menace to society?

As it is recorded, the Jewish chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to demand that Jesus be the one held as prisoner and crucified, and they convinced the people to plead the release of Barabbas instead. That’s exactly what happened!

In this strange twist, a convicted criminal was released, and an innocent man died in his place. Barabbas deserved his sentence, but Jesus didn’t. Jesus was given the punishment that Barabbas was doomed for – the cross. Thus, the guilty one was set free, while the blameless one paid the penalty.

Before this event took place, Barabbas had no hope of gaining freedom. There was nothing he could do to earn his release. He was condemned to certain death and if it weren’t for trading places with Jesus, he would have been surely executed. Instead, Barabbas was essentially pardoned from his crimes and walked away a free man, never to be heard of again in the Bible.

This story gives us an amazing parallel. It is the one between Barabbas and the Christian. If you are a Christian, you will be able to relate to this comparison. Like Barabbas.....

-- You were guilty of sin and there was nothing you could do to earn your forgiveness. 

--  You were doomed for eternal punishment because of sin.

-- You were released from the bondage of sin, "prison", only because Christ took your place – took your punishment on the cross.

As in the case of Barabbas...

--  The righteous one (Jesus) died for the unrighteous one (you).

--  The innocent one died (Jesus) for the guilty one (you). 

What a great parallel – the Christian and Barabbas. Only because of the sacrifice of Christ do you walk in a newness of life – pardoned and set free.

Each time you come across the story of Barabbas in the Bible, let it remind you of who you are – Barabbas, a sinner saved by grace.