GIVE US BARABBAS

 

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 Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"

               I am preparing this week to preach on Good Friday. Good Friday is a day to reflect not only upon what Jesus did for us, but also upon what our response is to Jesus.

               If you are familiar with the story of Holy Week, it began with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. They people hailed Jesus as a king. They expected him to clear out the Roman invaders and re-establish the political nation of Israel. Things started out promising, as Jesus cleared the Temple of the people who were taking advantage of the common people. But as the week went along, and people watched, Jesus quietly slipped back into the role of Rabbi, teacher. The people had to be wondering when Jesus was going to make his move. Jerusalem was packed to overflowing. If there ever was a time for a successful revolt it was now.

               By the end of the week even one of his own disciples had lost hope. Judas, maybe as a way to force Jesus’ hand, agreed to turn Jesus over to the religious leaders for 30 pieces of silver. As the week began to draw to a close, the sentiment of the crowds shifted away from Jesus.

               Jesus was arrested and put on trial by the Sanhedrin. Although they could not find any legitimate reason to condemn Jesus, they did anyway, out of fear and hatred. They took Jesus to Pilate and demanded that Jesus to executed as a rabble rouser. Pilate was puzzled and bewildered by all of this. He tried several times to let Jesus go, but the Pharisees and chief priests kept putting pressure on him.

               Finally, Pilate tried one last tactic. He would allow the people to chose one prisoner to be released. He knew that the Pharisees had brought Jesus to him out of jealousy. He expected the common people to side with Jesus. But when it came to a vote, the crowd chose Barabbas. For Jesus, they chose death.

               As I reflect upon that event, I am drawn to the events of our current day. Barabbas represented what the people wanted, a political leader. Someone who would take charge and accomplish what they wanted by force. I don’t think anything has changed. Today, people are still choosing Barabbas over Jesus.

               Even some who call themselves Christians are rejecting the way of Jesus in favor of the more robust and aggressive way of Barabbas. Our society as a whole approaches this Easter, not with Jesus’ name on their lips, but with the name of Barabbas. Political power and force have replaced love and compassion.

               If we look back at the outcome of the crowd’s decision, we see that those who chose Barabbas lost in the end and those who stood with Jesus won. The religious/political leaders who called for Jesus’ crucifixion were soon displaced by the very power they appealed to. But Jesus won the victory. Three days later, He rose from the dead, triumphant. He accomplished by His death on the cross what political power never could. Jesus conquered sin and death and offers eternal life to all who will place their faith and trust in Him.

               As we near Good Friday, and even look forward to Easter Sunday, the question we have to ask ourselves is who are we turning to for our salvation. Are we still calling for Barabbas or are we calling upon Jesus.

John 1:10-13 (NIV)
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

John 3:19-21 (NIV)
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."