Coronation Part II - Barabbas

“Your voice broke through time and space. It echoed through the crowd on that day. "Crucify him", so they all proclaimed, and the guilty one got up and walked away.” ⁃ 'Coronation (Come & See)' by Calvary Worship

Jesus stood trial before the people and Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate had already declared Jesus to be innocent of anything deserving the death penalty (Luke 23:15). Pilate knew Jesus was being railroaded however, the religious leaders of the day had already decided Jesus needed to die, so the chief priests had “handed Jesus over to him” (Mark 15:10).

Pilate was smart, so he looked for a way to release Jesus and keep the peace.

Cleverly, Pilate offered the assembly a choice, after all, it was a special time of year. Tradition! One life will receive mercy. In this case maybe he could trade one life for another. The choice he presented to the mob: Release Jesus or.... Barabbas!?

Who is Barabbas? We don’t hear about him in scripture before this, or at all after. The Bible describes Barabbas as a notorious criminal who had been imprisoned “for an insurrection in the city, and for murder” (Luke 23:19).

So, the choice is obvious isn’t it? Barabbas or Jesus? Murderer or healer? Rebel or restorer? Criminal or comforter?

“Release Barabbas!”, the crowd shouted.

Pilate was shocked and confused! After all, what had Jesus done except teach people about God’s love and forgiveness, to give hope, to heal and set people free. He had heard all about this Jesus, word had spread like wildfire about all the miracles and wonderful things that He had done. So why would they want Him to be killed? Barabbas on the other hand… why would they be ok with having this notorious, violent criminal back on the streets?

This story has always baffled me. It’s even made me kind of mad at the people who were assembled that day. Weren’t these the same people Jesus had spent the last 3 years ministering to, teaching and loving?

I wonder if it was more than just a case of mass-hysteria or the influence of the priests and powerful people who were there. What if there was something more powerful at work?

As we read scripture we are taught to view it through three lenses – how does the Bible apply to them, us and me. Them – the people of the day, Us – the church today, and Me. So then, where do I fit into this story? Is it if I was there on that day I would have joined in and shouted “crucify him” along with the crowd? That might be true. Then it hit me, in this story, I’m Barabbas.

The beauty in this story is, YES Jesus died for the sins of the world, but it really boils down to the fact that Christ died in my stead. God’s voice could be heard echoing through the crowd on that day, “release Barabbas, crucify Him”. It was God’s purpose all along, to exchange His life for mine.

When you become a Christian, you are adopted into the family of God. You become part of something bigger than yourself. However, we must never lose grip on the central part of what it means to be a Christian – not just being identified as one in the community of faith, but as a lover and follower of Jesus. 

My personal relationship with Jesus is the foundation on which every part of ‘being a Christian’ is built upon. This personal relationship starts with the understanding that Jesus gave His life for YOU.

This powerful revelation will hold you through anything life can throw at you. It will transform the way you worship. It will change the way you “love your neighbour”, the other Barabbas’ in your world.

By Pastor Cameron Murison – Creative Director, Brisbane Bayside Campus


Coronation (Come & See) - © 2019 Calvary Worship - Words & Music by Matthew Germon, Jordan Gage, Cameron Murison and Rebecca Spicer