And on the day when Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate stood before the Jews and said to them:
But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Then cried they all again, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18: 39-40)
Barabbas was identified as a robber, a thief, or perhaps an insurrectionist. Surely he was guilty of more than being a street pickpocket, for he had been scheduled to be put to death by crucifixion. His charge was far more serious than petty theft.
There should be no doubt, however, that the Sanhedrin knew Barabbas, for they called him by name. Perhaps Barabbas was nearby, such as in the waiting room, to appeal his case before Pilate, and perhaps Barabbas just happened to be handy for an exchange. For his freedom, he was definitely at the right place, at the right time!
Other than his name, there is little else known about Barabbas. He simply vanished in the crowd and disappeared as a nameless face.
Yet, surely his heart was wrenched in knowing that he was set free as well as in knowing that another man died in his place: a man whom he only knew as Jesus.
But isn't this the story of what Jesus is all about? Dying for the sins of others that we do not die for our own sins?
Since the day Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, millions of people have been set free because of the death of Christ on a cross. Like Barabbas, does it appear that many Christians vanish in crowds and disappear as nameless faces?
Such people as these are faithful in their attendance to their churches. They come in quietly, sit quietly, and do not draw attention to themselves. They do not preach, teach, sing in choirs, or write books and songs. Some do not like to be called upon to stand and pray before people. They work their jobs, tend to their families, and, in their neighborhoods and communities, neighbors find no fault with them. They are happy and peaceful people. But on the Lord's day, they will be found in the Lord's house.
After meeting Jesus and knowing that Jesus died in his place, do you think it is possible that Barabbas stopped his bad behavior?
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But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Then cried they all again, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18: 39-40)
Barabbas was identified as a robber, a thief, or perhaps an insurrectionist. Surely he was guilty of more than being a street pickpocket, for he had been scheduled to be put to death by crucifixion. His charge was far more serious than petty theft.
There should be no doubt, however, that the Sanhedrin knew Barabbas, for they called him by name. Perhaps Barabbas was nearby, such as in the waiting room, to appeal his case before Pilate, and perhaps Barabbas just happened to be handy for an exchange. For his freedom, he was definitely at the right place, at the right time!
Other than his name, there is little else known about Barabbas. He simply vanished in the crowd and disappeared as a nameless face.
Yet, surely his heart was wrenched in knowing that he was set free as well as in knowing that another man died in his place: a man whom he only knew as Jesus.
But isn't this the story of what Jesus is all about? Dying for the sins of others that we do not die for our own sins?
Since the day Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, millions of people have been set free because of the death of Christ on a cross. Like Barabbas, does it appear that many Christians vanish in crowds and disappear as nameless faces?
Such people as these are faithful in their attendance to their churches. They come in quietly, sit quietly, and do not draw attention to themselves. They do not preach, teach, sing in choirs, or write books and songs. Some do not like to be called upon to stand and pray before people. They work their jobs, tend to their families, and, in their neighborhoods and communities, neighbors find no fault with them. They are happy and peaceful people. But on the Lord's day, they will be found in the Lord's house.
After meeting Jesus and knowing that Jesus died in his place, do you think it is possible that Barabbas stopped his bad behavior?
www.bible.com
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