“Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. (Mark 15:7-11)
Barabbas was a revolutionary, a zealot, and a convicted murderer. He also was likely on his way to be crucified - before Jesus took his place.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. (Mark 15:25-27)
There should have been three criminals crucified, not two. The cross that was meant for Barabbas instead held the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Was Barabbas in the crowd, watching as his substitutionary Sacrifice breathed His last? Did this revolutionary - this convicted murderer – recognize the grace he had been shown? Did he feel the earth tremble; see the temple veil torn in half?
More importantly, did Barabbas recognize that Jesus took the punishment that he alone deserved and accept the sacrifice that was freely given? Like the Centurion, did Barabbas exclaim, “This man truly was the Son of God”. Or like so many others, did he mock his King and not accept the terrible price Jesus paid for him?
#LoveMatters