Matthew 27:17-18 (NIV)
So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”For he knew that it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
Acts 2:23 (NIV)
This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
As I wrote this blog, I thought about the upcoming Passion Week, which is only a couple of weeks away. This is the week that the World shares as a reminder of the Biblical events that took place from Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday. A time when Believers identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, today I want to talk about a different identity that I have, that is not as prestigious as the one that I have in Christ. It is an identity that reminds me of just how much I am in need of a Savior. It is an identity that likens me to a certain man that the Scriptures call Barabbas.
About a year ago I was reading in the book of Matthew and came across scripture that found Jesus standing before a Governor and an angry mob, who had been coaxed and given the responsibility of choosing whether or not he would live or be put to death. The Bible says that the people were given a choice between releasing Jesus or a prisoner by the name of Barabbas, who had been found guilty of many crimes that were deserving of death. (Hold on to that point). After being persuaded by officials, the crowd shouted, "give us Barabbas!" This following their earlier praise of him being the Son of David, and a gift from God. Is that what I do? Praise him as Savior one minute and then choose the world the next minute? In choosing Barabbas they were choosing (they thought), to set the prisoner free; leaving Jesus to be put to death. My eyes kept going back verse 18 where it said that they had made their decision out of "self-interest". Is that what I do every time I choose sin over the Savior?
As I tried to read further, I was reminded of the struggles and strongholds that I had battled and sometimes still battle. Sins that I had committed, out of "self-interest" as a result of my silent screams of, "give me Barabbas!" ..."Oh my God", I thought. ..."Where did that come from?" Am I one of those people in the crowd who chose the Guilty over the Innocent? Who chose Wrong over Right? Who chose Death over Life?
Every time I refused to forgive... I was saying, "give me Barabbas"
Every time I chose a relationship over my God... I was saying, "give me Barabbas"
Every time that I looked to myself and my own will... I was saying, "give me Barabbas"
As I tried to read further, I was reminded of the struggles and strongholds that I had battled and sometimes still battle. Sins that I had committed, out of "self-interest" as a result of my silent screams of, "give me Barabbas!" ..."Oh my God", I thought. ..."Where did that come from?" Am I one of those people in the crowd who chose the Guilty over the Innocent? Who chose Wrong over Right? Who chose Death over Life?
Every time I refused to forgive... I was saying, "give me Barabbas"
Every time I chose a relationship over my God... I was saying, "give me Barabbas"
Every time that I looked to myself and my own will... I was saying, "give me Barabbas"
I now realize that this scene was no accident! It had to be written into Scripture; it's characters, including the angry mob, all necessary for this story to be told. There had to be a Barabbas because one day there would be a "me". It all makes sense now. The Governor, the people, the prisoner, deserving death, but is pardoned; the decision. It is clear to me that "Barabbas is me!" Barabbas represents that "self serving" part of me; that "self fulfilling" part of me; that part of me that would save my own life, as well as my own self-interest over righteousness!
Jesus allowed himself to be charged, although he was guilt free! He allowed Barabbas to be pardoned, because when he looked at Barabbas, he saw you, and he saw me! He knew that he was about to bear the weight of sin...Not just Barabbas' sins, but our sins as well. Do you see now? That crowd didn't set Barabbas free! Jesus set Barabbas free! They didn't have the power to set any man free! There would have been no point in Barabbas being put to death; because he would've had NO Redeeming Power on the Cross!
Like me, and like Barabbas; you have been guilty of many things in your past. Some may be guilty of something right now, but the same Grace that saw Barabbas, sees you!
YES, you are guilty of all charges; YES, I am guilty of all charges! ...BUT THE CROSS!
YES Barabbas deserved death; YES we deserve death!
...BUT THE CROSS!
Jesus knew that the majority preferred Barabbas over him THEN...and he knows that the majority prefers Barabbas over him NOW! ...BUT THE CROSS!
It was God's deliberate plan that found Jesus at the mercy of the people. It was God's deliberate plan that pardoned Barabbas! It was God's deliberate plan that sent Jesus to Calvary! We no longer have to walk in defeat! We no longer have to worry about the death penalty! Because we are no longer guilty unto death. We are now a part of a redeemed crowd...And we have a new shout!! that says, "GIVE US JESUS!" We no longer look to crucify him, but to Glorify Him! NOW SOMEBODY SHOUT "GIVE ME JESUS!"
