Mark 15:15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.
It was customary for the ruling Roman governor to release a Jewish prisoner before the feast of Passover as an act of goodwill. Pilate was fully aware that the Jewish authorities had dragged Jesus to the court out of envy and ego. So, Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor brought a straightforward choice and presented the notorious criminal Barabbas and Jesus to the crowd. The crowd incited by the chief priests insisted that the treacherous terrorist to be released and for Jesus to be crucified.
On the dreadful day of crucifixion when Barabbas was brought into the coliseum, terrifying thoughts of being flogged and nailed to the cross would have inundated Barabbas. He would have watched many other crucifixions and now it was his turn to go through the horrible torment. Glancing across the courtroom he would have seen Jesus, flawless and infallible and would have been certain that Jesus would be released, and he would be damned. Yet to his awful surprise, the morbid mob cried, “Crucify him!” urging Pilate to nail Jesus to the cross. Even Barabbas, the wicked, vile serial-killer would have agreed that this judgement was disgusting, unjust and incorrect. Jesus took the place of Barabbas the menacing marauder and murderer. The Bible doesn’t tell us what happened to Barabbas after he was released. Did he repent or did he go back to the rebellion, looting and rioting? The chapter of Barabbas is an unending episode.
However, the episode is the perfect epitome of the divine exchange that Jesus made on the cross for you and for me. He took our place of punishment and paid the penalty of our humungous sin on the cross.
Three lessons from the treacherous terrorist Barabbas:
1. Receive: Did the rusty heart of Barabbas receive Jesus? We are not sure if Barabbas received Jesus but accepting Jesus would have revamped his ruined life. Jesus not only took the punishment of Barabbas, the despicable scoundrel, but He also took our verdict on Him. We receive forgiveness from the horror of irreversible sins through His blood.
2. Repent: Did the reeking heart of Barabbas repent? There were scores of sins, stains, and complaints on Barabbas. His release wiped away his past criminal records and gave him a brand-new start, but did Barabbas start afresh? To repent is to take a right about 180 degrees turn. Repentance means never to go back or look back at the past repulsive sins. Jesus resets and gives a fresh start to a repentant soul.
- Release: Did Barabbas realize the price that was paid for his release? We are not sure if he did but “life is in the blood”. Hence, Jesus paid for our revolt, rebellion, and regretful malevolence with His precious blood. We are released as He has paid our debt in full.
Repent, receive forgiveness and be released from the past, punishment and persecution.
Mark 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.
Prayer: My Dearest Saviour, help me to comprehend the power of your blood and enjoy freedom from sinful habits and shame through the divine exchange on the cross. Amen.
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