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Mark 15-16: We Have Seen Barabbas and He is Us

Sep 9, 2008
Crucified with Christ, Death, God, Jesus, Love, Mark, Sacrifice, salvation

I can hardly fathom how it happened. The Jewish crowd had two men in front of them. One of those men had really and truly been involved in rebellion and insurrection. One had actually killed people. The other one had preached a message of peace and submission to others. One had brought people back to life. Just days earlier these very same crowds had been proclaiming this miracle worker was the descendent of David. He had never done anything worthy of death and even Pilate realized that.

Pilate gave the crowd an option. He could release Barabbas, the insurrectionist and murderer, or he could release Jesus, the man they had praised just days earlier. The other one would be delivered for a torturous death by crucifixion. How on earth could the crowds ever be stirred up to release Barabbas and pick Jesus to be crucified? How could they look at Jesus, a man who had taught in their synagogues, who had healed their sick, cast out demons, raised the dead and in so many other ways demonstrated Himself to be the Messiah for whom they looked, and pick Him to die. Nevertheless, that was the choice they made.

I can hardly fathom how it happened. God had two men in front of Him. One of those men had really and truly been involved in rebellion and sin. He had lied, stolen, cheated, lusted, committed immorality, coveted and pursued his own arrogant path of self-service in many other ways. The wages of his sins were death. The other one only ever lived to please the Father. He submitted and obeyed. He had never done anything worthy of death and God realized that.

But, God had an option. He could free and give life to me, the sinner and rebel, or He could leave Jesus alone. The other one would be delivered to a torturous spiritual death of separation from the Father. How in heaven could God ever be stirred to set me free by picking His only begotten Son, Jesus, for death? How could God look at Jesus, a Son who had only ever faithfully served Him, and put Him on the cross and then turn His face from Him? 

The crowds made their choice because of selfish envy. God made His choice because of selfless love. I have always been intrigued by the fact that Barabbas’ name means “son of the Father.” Because of Jesus’ death, I am now a son of the Father. I do not know how the Father, Son and Spirit could have so much love to let Jesus take my place. I just know I’m glad God did.

I don’t know how Barabbas turned out. Was he changed by this experience? Or did he simply go back and plot more rebellion? I can’t answer how Barabbas responded. I can only determine how I will respond. God put Jesus on the cross where I should be. Will I just keep on sinning and rebelling, spurning the sacrifice God offered for me? Or will I strive to become like Jesus who sacrificed Himself for me?

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

3 Comments
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  • http://jesusbarabbas.info Roland Bouchard

    How about "God" knew what He was doing? How about the "crowd" knew what they were doing? How about "we" don't have a clue?
    How about we 'not throw the baby out with the bathwater'? How about what actually 'happened' is correct and true, -save that what was written (at the behest of Saul of Tarsus aka the Apostle and eventual Saint Paul and his cohorts Mark and Luke).

    Surely, No Jew, at the time of the infamous crucifixion, knew or seen or even heard of "Christ", -an invented Greek word -without any etymological basis or foundation in the Greek language or custom, -for the sole purpose of obfuscating the actual role and mission of the 'descendant of David' and Jewish 'messiah', -to wit: re-establish the ancient 'theocracy' versus 'secularism' of Herod.

    The "crowd" chose "Jesus [Barabbas]"… as they revolted against Rehoboam and chose Jeroboam nearly 930 yrs. before.

    What was Written TEN yrs After Pilate said, "What is written is written." is Obviously an alteration.

    See http://www.jesusbarabbas.info for the full story.

  • edwincrozier

    I certainly believe God knew what He was doing. I believe Jesus Himself said on the cross that the crowd did not know what it was doing. I also believe that I rarely have a clue. That is why I surrender myself to God's will as revealed in the Scriptures on these matters.

    Thanks for taking the time to read my post and consider it.
    ELC

  • http://jesusbarabbas.info Roland Bouchard

    That you say, "I believe Jesus Himself said on the cross that the crowd did not know what it was doing." rather, more accurately, it should be said, "I believe Luke only (who was neither an eye witness to the events he describes nor was he a disciple of "Jesus").

    It is good to "surrender… to God's Will", 'Scripture', however, is clearly Not "God's Will", -rather, 'Scripture' is the works of men… 'inspired' to be sure, but to what end?

    God wrote His Will in one's heart and mind, Not on the pages of a Book. This is especially true when men of lesser compassion and finite intellect presumes what God wants us to know. Moreover, the suffering of nearly 2,000 years of total ignorance and absolute suppression of the actual identity and role of two men… Jesus Barabbas and Judas the Galilean (and his sons).

    "Christ" was not crucified… he literally appeared in the Holy Gospels After Saul of Tarsus aka the Apostle and eventual Saint Paul suffered an epiphany or apparition, -while on the road to Damascus, in hot pursuit of persecuting 'Christians', -at a time when there were no 'Christians' (only followers of the 'descendant of David' and Jewish 'messiah')… it was the 'descendant of David' and Jewish 'messiah' who was duly crucified for the capital offense of 'insurrection' (in his failed attempt to overthrow the secular governance of Herod and re-establish the theocracy of his forefather (David). "Christ", a Greek supposed translation of the Hebrew 'messiah', -whereas there is no etymological basis or foundation in the Greek language or custom.

    No Jew, during the crucifixion of the 'descendant of David' and 'messiah' ever knew or saw or even heard of "Christ". "Jesus [Barabbas]" however, they all knew, -personally I doubt that He was "a notorious robber, murderer and insurrectionist", -rather, as His Aramaic appellation clearly implies, -to wit: Bar = Son + Abba = Father (of God).

    I, like the Jews of yore, also chose [Jesus] Barabbas and, for the same reason… see the rejection of Rehoboam for further details.

    Saul of Tarsus aka Paul was a flunked-out Pharisaic student and temple thug, -whose ancestry is steeped in dishonor, shame and resentment towards the 'descendants of David' (who replaced the first king of the Jews).

    So that you not misunderstand me, please know that mine is a historical POV as well as that of 'a spirituality of life'… not a dogmatic theocracy of the biased 'Holy Gospels'.

    Roland, a reluctant iconoclast.



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