Matthew. 27:21‭-‬22 NIV
“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!”
Barabbas is a very intriguing character in the Crucifixion story. He seems to appear from nowhere and no sooner has he appeared then he disappears.
He is a well-known criminal and a rebel. The fact that when we are introduced to him he is a prisoner, means he had been arrested because of his criminal acts.
There was a custom during this time of the Passover where Pilate would release a prisoner of the people’s choosing and when he presents them the choice between a well known criminal Barabbas and an innocent man Jesus, the crowds under the influence of the chief priests and the elders choose Barabbas.
Right there was a flash of the gospel, a glimpse of the love of God, a synopsis of why Jesus came, but the Jewish leaders and the people missed it. An innocent man taking the place of a guilty one.
We may look at Barabbas and criticize not recognizing that Barabbas is a representation of you and I.
He who deserved to die was set free while he who was innocent and free was condemned to die.
When you think about it, it was not the crowds or Pilate that set Barabbas free, it was the love of God. God had to treat Jesus like Barabbas, so that he could treat Barabbas like Jesus. In essence, God had to treat Jesus like you and I so that he could treat you and I like Jesus.
2 Corinthians. 5:21 NIV
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Reflections
What do you see when you look at Barabbas?
What does this great exchange teach you about salvation?
The same people he had healed, fed and taught cried out for his crucifixion. What lessons does this teach you about human nature?