Messiah and Barabbas:

“And they had 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 (Yahshua), which is called Christ?’ “ We are all very familiar with this passage from Matt.27. Jesus (Yahshua) is in the presence of Pilate, about to be condemned to die. He was in a dilemma because he did not want to have anything to do with the trial of Jesus (Yahshua). But he could not pardon Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) because of the powerful Jewish priests. So he offered the people a choice, Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) or Barabbas.
Barabbas was a man who was in prison with a death sentence at the time Jesus was arrested for crimes he did not commit. Barabbas on the other hand, was guilty beyond any doubt and deserved his punishment. He was a rebel and a murderer, troubling the common people as well as the Roman authorities.
We all know about our beloved Saviour. He fed people with spiritual and physical food, he healed the sick, raised up the dead and did many miracles. He went about doing good things and led a holy life. As we read through the Matt.26 and 27 chapters we see the betrayal of our Saviour by his own disciple Judas Iscariot, betrayed by a kiss (a display of great love), to the high priests and soldiers. The chief priest Caiphas and the elders of the synagogue took counsel and bound our Saviour and delivered him to Pontius Pilate, who was the governor of the Roman Empire. When Pilate asked Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) whether he was the king of the Jews, he answered,’it is as you say’. Pilate asked him, ‘Do you not hear how many things they say against you?’ he answered not one word. (Matt.27:11-14)

Now at the feast of the Passover the governor had authority to release one prisoner whom the people wished. So Pilate said, ‘which of the two do you want me to release?’ and the people said,’ Release Barabbas and crucify Jesus (Yahshua).’ Meanwhile Pilate’s wife sent him a message saying,’ have nothing to do with that just man.’ So Pilate washed his hands off the matter and handed over Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) to the Jews. The Jews were not troubled by this act and said that their guilt would be on them and their children. So even to this day, Jews do not accept the sacrifice of the Messiah for the remission of their sins. Barabbas was released and Messiah was delivered to the people to be crucified. This sinless person, our Saviour, bore the whole world’s sins. All this happened so that Messiah could save both the Jews and the Gentiles by his blood.

The Jews believe in God (Yahweh) the Father; ‘I am that am’, as told to Moses. So John the Baptist refers to Messiah as ‘the Lamb of God (Yahweh) that taketh away the sins of the world’. Barabbas the thief, murderer, liar and cheat, was given freedom while our Saviour, who came to this earth, was crucified, not only for the sins of Barabbas but for the sins of every person born on this earth. (past, present and future generations). Each person on earth is a Barabbas. We may not have done some things like Barabbas, but we definitely have committed some sin or the other. Sin is transgression of the law. Prayerlessness is sin (Sam) . When we do not accept Messiah as our Saviour who cleanses all our sins through his blood, that, is also sin. Sometimes we commit sin without knowing it is sin, sometimes we sin knowing it, like we speak lies.

1 John.1:8-9, ‘if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we have  fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not truth.But if we walk in the light  as he is in light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus (Yahshua) Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin.

Remember his agony on the cross for us, remember his crown of thorns, remember his stripes on his back, remember his blood which flowed like a river, remember the piercing of the sword in his side, remember his death on the cross for you and me. (1Cor.11: 26). Remember his blood which made a covenant with God (Yahweh) and man. He, Jesus (Yahshua) is pleading with God (Yahweh) to forgive mankind for all its’ sins. When we see movies about the crucifixion, we all weep. Remember such scenes and remember your Saviour. A Saviour who provides solutions for all problems, protects you from all evil and preserves you. He took on all our sins and blesses you. How can you not accept such a living Saviour who cares for you?

What about Barabbas? Again the words are simple and brief: ’Then he released Barabbas.’ Barabbas was free. The charges against him were dropped. He was not condemned. He would not be crucified. Can you imagine his joy? But I have already told you that we are Barabbas. And is our joy not the same? Jesus was also crucified in our place. On the cross our many sins against God were forgiven. Because he went to the cross we too are free. In John’s Gospel Jesus said he would free us: ‘If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ God (Yahweh)’s charges against us have been dropped. God does not condemn us as Paul says in Romans: ‘There is now, therefore, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.? We have been set free not simply from physical death, but God (Yahweh)’s eternal damnation as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians: ‘We wait for Jesus from heaven’.

Barabbas represents all of humanity since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.  Each of us has a bit of Barabbas within our soul. We lie at times, we lash out in anger and say mean words that hurt, we gossip. Each of us knows in the depth of our hearts who we really are. We know when God is speaking. We can hear the faint voice of grace calling out our names. If this is you today, I encourage you to answer the call. All it takes is the courage to ask God to forgive you for running all these days, months or years.  Surrender your life to Him--he already called you so he is waiting to hear from you.
Dear reader, confess your sins, accept his blood to cleanse you  from all sins, renew your spirit with his word and let the Barabbas in you die and let the spirit of Messiah live in your hearts and guide you, comfort you and lead you in your daily lives.