Considering Barabbas

As I woke today two weeks before Easter, the lyrics to Josiah Queen’s song I Am Barabbas began to run through my head. There are so many characters in the story of Jesus’ last days on earth, Barabbas often gets squeezed out of the picture.

But can you imagine being him? He knew that he was guilty of the crimes he is convicted for and is waiting in a jail cell bracing himself to face a painful death. And then, a guard opens his door and tells him that he has been released. He is grateful but shocked. I imagine he got out of the building as fast as possible. But when he saw the crowds, I think he chose to hide among them to figure out what was going on.

At some point, he realized that he was set free because the crowd was so intent on having Jesus killed. Barabbas would have been the first person to recognize that Christ died in his place. History does not record anything about the rest of Barabbas’ life. But I choose to believe that he was changed that day as he realized what was done for him. I think Barabbas, like the Roman soldier at the cross recognized that “Surely, Jesus was the Son of God!” I pray these realizations change you and I as well.

Lyrics to I Am Barabbas by Josiah Queen

They said that this preacher man
Comes from Galilee
Did something so absurd that he deserved this penalty
How can it be?
I know I’ve done my wrongs
And doing wrong is something I do well
I know the court of law and something like this doesn’t ring a bell
How can it be?
How can this be?
I am Barabbas
You took upon my cross
I was that prisoner
Till you bought my bond with blood
I can’t run away
From what my accusers say
I am Barabbas your friend
They made me sit right there
As I watched them beat the preacher man
39 of all them lashes should’ve been on my own skin
How can it be?
How can this be?
I am Barabbas
You took upon my cross
I was that prisoner
Till you bought my bond with blood
I can’t run away
From what my accusers say
I am Barabbas your friend
I’ll never comprehend the
Repercussions of my every sins
Is this love?
Or is this hatred flowing out from bitterness
How can it be?
But he looked at me
And I said
I am Barabbas
You took upon my cross
I was that prisoner
Till you bought my bond with blood
I can’t run away
From what my accusers say
I am Barabbas
I am Barabbas

I am Barabbas your friend

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Cindy

Top Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash