The Prodigal's ReturnSample

Barabbas- God Loves Barabbas

Randy Harmon

[Mark 15:6-11, 15 NASB] Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. And the one named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the revolt. And the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. Intent on satisfying the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

We don’t know much about Barabbas except that he was: A notorious prisoner (Matthew 27:16); A Robber (John 18:40); A Rebel (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19, 25); A Murderer (Mark 15:7 Acts 3:14) Regarding the destinies of Jesus at His trial, and Barabbas, Pilate said: “I hold the destinies of these two men in my hand. The Jews have a tradition that on a Holy day, I will release one of the prisoners on death row.” Pilate stands on a platform and presents Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of the Living God, and Barabbas, the thug/rebel. There was no comparison: Jesus deserved to go free, while Barabbas deserved death. Pilate asks, “Who do you want?”, never dreaming they would choose a known criminal over an innocent man. Yet, the crowd was insistent, “We want Barabbas.”

The Roman soldiers release his bindings/chains, and he walks down from the platform welcomed by all of his friends. There seems to be no conscience in Barabbas. There is no record of him turning to Jesus, to say “I owe you everything now…” No record of acknowledgment. Jesus stands silent, knowing the will of the Father. Jesus knew that the Father would have to treat Jesus like Barabbas, so He could treat Barabbas like Jesus. Barabbas thought it was the people who set him free. Instead, it was the love of the Heavenly Father.

When I look at this story, I realize who Barabbas really is: ME, YOU, US. Romans 3:23 tells us “All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Our biggest problem is our sin and rebellion against God! Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God says, “I love Barabbas…” We say, “But God, he’s a bad man…” God says, “I love him; I want him to be free.” We say, “Don’t you know that he may never acknowledge the gift you have given him?” God says, “Yes, I know, but I love Barabbas.”

Romans 5:8 reminds us of God’s sacrificial love through Christ, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God sent His Son for Barabbas even though He knew that one like Barabbas might walk away from Jesus, and His free gift, and never come back … He loves him.

Are you bound? Held under the power of some temptation? Held under the power of some sin? Do you feel like it is controlling you? What are you going to do? Shake yourself free? NO, You won’t. YOU ARE NO MATCH FOR THE POWERS OF HELL and the urges of sin!!! YOU will never overcome it! You will become just another statistic. There is no answer within yourself. There is only one who can set you free. He’s the one who took your place. The one who stood silently on the platform with Pilate and said, “Yes, let them have Barabbas. Take me.”

How many times have I stood on that platform with Pilate and Jesus, and I’m the Barabbas? And they start taking my chains off, and I say, “No, I deserve this, the guilt, shame, consequence.” And Jesus seems to look at me and say, “No son, let me have it… your sin, your pain…” We cannot set ourselves free! But Jesus can. His blood is sufficient for your salvation. His blood is sufficient to sustain you through every challenge, sin, and temptation.

Jesus is enough!!! Even for Barabbas!

Lord Jesus, thank you for taking my place when I didn’t, nor could ever, deserve it. Let me live daily by your grace and mercy. Amen