“Give us Barabbas”
How many times have we chanted those same words? Many will remember these words from reading the stories of Jesus or maybe watching “The Passion of the Christ.” It is easy to imagine the frenzy of the crowd as they were crying out for the death of Jesus. It is easy to even feel a bit of anger creeping up in our own hearts toward them. To be asked the question, “How many times have we chanted those words” to some may seem absurd. But really, “How many times have you chanted those words?”
Earlier in the night, the night of Jesus’ mock trial, as the “powers that were allowed to be” were pressing for the execution of the Christ, the Roman governor asked the question, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” It struck me as ironic that the guilty were being asked what accusations against the guiltless they had to present. After weighing their claims, Pilate said that he found no fault in Jesus, no reason to execute Him. Then he said that according to your custom, I can release a prisoner back to you, do you want me to release Jesus. ”They shouted back, ‘No, not Him! Give us Barabbas!’” These words are the reason for this blog.
Barabbas was a “notorious prisoner” imprisoned for insurrection against the Jewish people. He was by the words of Josephus, a “bandit.” According to the Gospels He was imprisoned for political rebellion, murder, and robbery. Jesus was guilty of preaching a Gospel of love, forgiveness, healing. In the crowd, just like today, were people who had been healed by His power, accepted by His love, yet when given the opportunity to let Jesus be free among them and in their lives, they cried out for Barabbas, in essence saying, “We want the thing that kills, that threatens our lives, brings division and turmoil to be free among us and the one who loves, forgives, and heals to be silenced.” Aren’t we, at times, like this too. We will willingly embrace things in our lives, things, behaviors, practices, that we know can kill our children, destroy our marriages, crush our hopes, imprison our dreams, and to embrace them we have to silence the voice of Jesus.
“Give us Barabbas.” Sound familiar?
