Barabbas

Give us Barabbas!

Much has been said about Christ on the cross but little has been said about the one He replaced. Yes, I am talking about Barabbas, the notorious criminal that the Jews of the day released in place of Christ while Pilate was trying to rescue Jesus using a Passover tradition of releasing prisoners. Pilate did not expect the crowds to want to crucify Jesus so much that they were willing to release so notorious a criminal as Barabbas.

I often wonder why it was necessary for Barabbas to be in the picture of the crucifixion story. Christ could be crucified on Pilate's orders without the need for Barabbas. In fact Pilate has crucified numerous others prior to this, so why the need for Barabbas? Why did God put Barabbas in the picture? I guess the very act of replacement of Barabbas to Christ on the cross indicates that Christ did not deserve the cross and that He did it in place of a sinful man.

I guess Barabbas represents us to a certain extent. We all deserve the fate of the cross, we all like Barabbas had no way out initially but to await that very fate. But Christ came and replaced us. He was nailed to the cross that we were meant to be nailed to, He suffered the punishment that we were meant to suffer. I just can't help it but be thankful. Praise God.