What Happened to Barabbas? (The Criminal Chosen Over Jesus)

Remember Barabbas? Anyone? The criminal (actually held for murder charges) whom the people chose over Jesus before the crucifixion. Jesus had gone to pray and meet with his disciples at the Mount of Olives. This would not be the first time that He met with His disciples at this particular place. This night however, He knew it would be different and He knew exactly what to expect. It was the Father's will and He had willfully chosen to be obedient. On that night He was betrayed by Judas, one of His disciples, into the hands of the Pharisees, scribes and leaders of the people. Their accusation; that He had blasphemed against God, incited the people from paying taxes to Caesar and was causing rebellion.

They took Him before Pilate, whom after questioning Jesus for a while, could not find anything against Him. So he sent Him to Herod, but even he could not find fault, so he sent Him back to Pilate. Now Pilate wanted to release Jesus, in fact he tried severally to convince the people that this man, Jesus, was innocent. He even washed his hands from the case, declaring that innocent blood would not on his hands. Still the people, incited by the their elders, did not want to hear any of it. It was custom that during the Passover feast one criminal would be released for the people, set free. Among the criminals was Barabbas; held for murder charges and leading a rebellion. I wonder what was going on in his mind as they awaited to see who would be released. Maybe he was curious to see which criminal would be lucky enough to be set free on this day; or he was simply not interested, seeing the charges against him, he probably didn't stand a chance. It could be that he had already resigned to his fate o rather to the fate he thought he had.

However, to Pilate's surprise, on his last attempt to save Jesus when he asked which criminal should be freed, the multitude answered with great turmoil, "Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas." (Could Barabbas hear this? Did he also jump with surprise when he heard the passion from the people or did someone tap on his shoulder to call his attention to the voices in the multitude; "Barabbas, they are calling out for you"). So Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus and the crowd shouted back, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Luke 23:18,20. A death sentence for a man whom even the Roman leaders found innocent. Talk about brutality during those days, crucifixion? Was Barabbas lucky? No. Because this was not luck, it had actually already been planned.

Until recently, every time I thought of Barabbas, I saw this man who should have gotten the sentence Jesus did. The people were out of their minds to have released him; I wonder if he actually realised what had happened. The other day, a preacher brought this concept and changed my mind. Barabbas, had committed murder and was deserving of the death that Jesus had been charged of innocently. Instead Jesus took his place without struggle. He did not try to talk His case out, neither did he try to set himself free, even though he had the power to. He knew it had to be done. "Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" John 18:11.

Thereby, on a deeper perspective, Barabbas is you and I. Barabbas is anyone who is willing to accept the grace of Jesus Christ. He stands at the door knocking and anyone who hears His voice and opens, He will enter and dine with him. Revelation 3:20. Now the wages of sin is death and every man has sinned. However, there is hope and man does not have to face death or condemnation anymore for the sin he has committed. For out of love for the world, God sent His Son, that He should die for the sins of the world and anyone who believes and accepts the Son, would be saved. John 3:16 . Sometimes I wonder what happened to Barabbas after this event. Did he learn about Jesus? Did his life change? Did he see the grace in his freedom or did he just count it as luck? How did he take his second chance to life, given freely to him, not because he deserved it, but because he was loved? 

Song this week "Shoulders" by - for King & Country