Set Free Like Barabbas

Scripture: “Now at the feast [Pilate] used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them…the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead…wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”

Observation: Can you imagine you are about to face a severe scourging and a most excruciating death by crucifixion? I wonder what Barabbas was thinking. Was he questioning his role in the insurrection, regretting that his actions brought him to this place of judgment? Was he questioning his beliefs–both political and religious? Was he dreading the torment he was about to endure? If some of these things were going through his mind, as usually is the case when facing the end of your life, can you now imagine the news that you were acquitted from your punishment and then set completely free? How relief must have washed over Barabbas like water slaking a man dying of thirst!

I did a little research, and nothing much more is knowable about this man except what is recorded in scripture, so we don’t know how his life turned out. But it’s safe to assume he didn’t participate in any insurrection again, or aspire to be any kind of hero, as history does not record or credit him with anything more. We just do not know, but I’d like to think Barabbas was there or at least heard about Jesus’ incredible silence before His accusers, and that he was moved by gratefulness to find out who Jesus was. I know I would feel greatly indebted to Him. History is silent on Barabbas’ life after this, but I’d like to think he became a believer.

Application: Do you realize each one of us is just like Barabbas the moment we place our faith in Jesus? We were under wrath and facing certain punishment for our insurrection against God’s rule over us, we felt the weight of our guilt, until someone shared the gospel message with us and the door of life was opened. When we believed, we were acquitted and set free from God’s punishment for our sins, and set free from the power of sin over us. We walked out of certain death into a glorious freedom, and we feel indebted to and joyous over our Lord who took our place that wondrous hour we believed. Beloved, let our life’s history now be recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life with all the good works He has prepared for us do to His eternal credit and praise!

Prayer: Dear Abba, thank you for freeing us from certain judgement and the eternal suffering we deserve for our rebellion against You. May our hearts be ever indebted to You for the new life You have given us. I rejoice in Your salvation, in Your humility that Jesus displayed by laying His glory aside to suffer and die for us. If the world only knew who You truly are instead of the twisted views they have of God! Let us be always looking to speak the truth in love, correct those who have no understanding, and be the town crier of the good news. For the gospel is the key that unlocks sin’s prison gates so that salvation may enter in and we can walk out eternally free. Please reveal Yourself to those seeking You, so that they might receive their spiritual sight, open their ears to hear truth, and turn many hearts to You that they might be healed. In Jesus most glorious name, Amen.