Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”

Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, “Crucify him, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.  

- Luke 23:13-25

Jewish historian Josephus recorded that during the time surrounding Jesus’s ministry, a Jewish group known as the Zealots orchestrated many uprisings against Roman occupation. By some accounts Zealots employed a number of tactics, including concealing themselves in crowded marketplaces and stealthily attacking Roman sympathizers with daggers. In 68-70 AD, misjudging Roman resolve, they attacked the Roman army and were slaughtered.

As we think back to our nation’s beginning, our forefathers fought against an occupying force, a distant government that did not understand local realities, and taxes supporting distant rulers. Barabbas was likely a Zealot who led fellow Jews to resist Roman occupation. Was he a freedom fighter zealously seeking to free his country from an occupying force? Was he a good man seeking to make his homeland a free place in which his children and grandchildren might prosper? Or was he a terrorist, a murderer, a person who disturbed the peace? The label we place upon people often depends on our perspective.

We do not know much about Barabbas. Each Gospel writer mentions him and they each mention unique details. The name Barabbas means “son of abba” or “son of father,” so his name could refer to anyone. Interestingly, Matthew tells us that his full name was Jesus Barabbas, so his name was Jesus, son of father.  

The passage above explains that Jesus was innocent and Barabbas was guilty – charged, convicted and sentenced to death – yet, Pilate released Barabbas and sentenced Jesus to torture and execution. Jesus Christ died in Barabbas’s place. He was nailed to a cross built for Barabbas.

In many places Scripture explains that Jesus died for the sins of the world – for my sins and yours. Speaking of Jesus Christ, Peter writes,

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25

I imagine Barabbas, son of father, after his release. What does he feel? What does he think? I imagine sitting at a distance, looking on as Jesus Christ hangs dying on the cross, knowing that He is dying in my place. I imagine feeling the dust cling to my moist skin, I imagine the smells of the people around me and the charcoal cooking in the distance, I imagine the sounds of the crowd, I imagine the sun warming my body, and there I am, knowing that I have been, by the awesome mystery of God’s grace, given a new life. I am free to go home, to enjoy the evening with my family, to taste food and drink, to work, and to enjoy the way it all satisfies me. And I know that I should be hanging where Jesus Christ hangs.

I am Barabbas because I too am son of father, I too am guilty, I too have been set free, granted new life, saved because Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, God gave Himself up for me. By His wounds I am healed. Are you son/daughter of father? Scripture reminds us, “By his wounds you have been healed.”