Tag Archives: We Are Barabbas

Matthew 27- We Are Barabbas

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Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Matthew 27:15-21

It was a custom to release a prisoner around a feast, Pilate was using the opportunity to try and wash his hands of the execution of Jesus, by allowing the Jews to make their decision who to release and who to execute. Now interestingly enough, if you look in some of the translations of the scriptures , Barrabas also had the first name of Jesus, which the name Yeshua would have been common in the first century

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?” (NIV, Matthew 27:17)

So the question back then is the same question today, which Jesus do you choose? Today many people worship a false Jesus, a Christ not of the Bible. Many false religions and cults, create their own Jesus to fit their own theology and ideology, but we must worship the true Son of God from the scriptures!

Barabbas was  a murderer (Mark 15:7), a criminal doing time, Pilate probably thought the Jews would have easily chosen Christ over the wicked Barrabas, however the religious leaders persuaded the crowd to choose Barrabas and execute Jesus Christ

Now another spiritual application to this story, Barabbas was a convicted sinner, however Jesus Christ , the sinless Lamb of God, took his place and Barabbas was set free. This was a foreshadow of us, we are Barabbas. Christ took our place , paid the penalty for our sin, and we are set free becoming Born Again

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Matthew 27:22-23

The wickedness of the people’s hearts choose to slay the Lamb of God and justify a murdere. As we know God used the evilness of men, to defeat sin and death forever! The religious leaders, who were claiming to be “children of God” are the ones who crucified the Son of God

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)  Amen!

Mark 15- We Are Barabbas

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Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them Mark 15:6-8

The trial of Jesus was such a sham, Pilate asked Israel to make a choice, either release a convicted murderer Barabbas or  release the Son of God Jesus Christ. You would think the decision would be easy, however because of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their eyes, Israel choose a convicted murderer over their Messiah. Oh how the mighty have fallen

Now when we look at this event, I want you to see this from a spiritual and symbolic perspective. You are Barabbas! You might say well “I’m not a convicted murderer” Yes however we are all sinners and deserve the wrath of God. However Jesus took our place! We should be up there getting the death sentence on the cross, however Christ the sinless Lamb of God, took our place on the cross! 

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. Mark 15:9-11

Pilate in mockery called Jesus King, however he was correct! Jesus is the King of Kings, and by the evil Pilate and the religious leaders were performing, they were actually fulfilling prophecy. They were fulfilling scripture that Jesus the Messiah must be handed over to sinners and die for our sins. Notice the chief priests influenced the people to choose Barabbas, a convicted murderer! These men were supposed to be experts in the Law of God, but they were blinded and hardened by their own pride and arrogance.

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. Mark 15:12-15

The same crowd that was shouting “Hosanna” a few days ago is now shouting “Crucify Him”  Israel turned on their own Messiah and killed him, Gods own people killed Gods Son, how the mighty have fallen!

Jesus willingly went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world Amen!