BARABBAS! GIVE US BARABBAS!: A LESSON IN HISTORY

The story of Barabbas is mentioned four times in the New Testament. All four Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. A spiritual lesson that God clearly did not want the readers to forget. A historic linchpin in the biblical story of Jesus Christ. Two polar opposites of a spiritual conundrum. 

On one side is Jesus of Nazareth, who instructed his followers to put down their swords and political contraband, that their fight was not with flesh and blood at all. The national change they craved, would come through prayer, repentance and the preaching of the Gospel. The other, Barabbas. A stinging dissection of the spiritual leaders of that time. An uncomfortable telescope, focused not just on the polity of Rome, but the church as well. A stethoscope on the fast beating spiritual climate that ruled the day. 

The spiritual leaders of Israel were looking for a different kind of savior all together. One that would defend their religious presidium and positions. That would act swiftly and forcibly to preserve their seats of authority and privilege in Rome (at any cost.) 

They were not looking for a passive, pensive, messiah. Someone who taught the people that this world was NOT their home, and that their citizenship was in Heaven. They needed a a rabble-rouser. Someone raucous and loud. Someone willing and able to fight the establishment of Rome, and promote their political and religious interests. Enter Barabbas. (Hebrews 13:14, Philippians 3:20) 

The account of Barabbas in Mark chapter 15, describes him as a rioter and insurrectionist. Verse 7 in the Amplified Bible reads, “The man called Barabbas was imprisoned with the insurrectionists (revolutionaries) who had committed murder in the civil rebellion..." Barabbas fit the bill to a T. Even his name meant deliverer and Son of God. Barabbas: "Bar" (son) and "Abba" (father). Meaning "Son of the Father." He had all the attributes they were searching for. 

They didn't need this Jesus of Nazareth, preaching his brand of peace and love. They now had their man, the rabble-rouser—someone that could deliver their agenda on a silver platter. The perfect counterfeit that fit their pseudo spiritual plan. Barabbas, "Son of the Father..."

Matthew, in chapter 17, is the only account that describes Barabbas as, “Jesus Barabbas.” It literally means, deliverer, and Messiah. “Jesus:” YHWH, the name of God and "Yehoshua" meaning, "to save" or "to deliver.” You can almost hear the cries echoing down the ancient stone walls of Israel as you read this account. He would be the chosen one that would forcibly restore the balance of power. He would be their savior... “BARABBAS! GIVE US BARABBAS!”

What actually incited these riots during this time in Judea? Writings of the 1st Century historian Josephus and others tell us. Herod, King of Judea, a vassal of the Roman Empire, responsible for protecting Judea from internal rebellions and invasions, had erected the Roman crest of an eagle, or aquila, over the Jewish Temple. This desecration of the temple was unacceptable. They must have a messiah now! A terrible tunnel vision beget by misplaced zeal and political devotion consumed them. They would have their savior no matter what the cost. 

These religious leaders of Israel, had made their own pact with the Roman government to assure their positions of power. (Just the opposite of what Jesus of Nazareth was teaching the people). Current events demanded something all together different—not a weak and pensive lamb—but a lion! A revolutionary. That would topple the threat that they perceived infringing on their hard fought spiritual territory. 

They wanted a messiah that would be their own personal kamikaze, guaranteeing that their positions of power would be saved. The perfect spiritual and political maelstrom... And they found him... “BARABBAS! GIVE US BARABBAS!" 

Are we any different today? We put a crown of thorns on anyone that dare oppose us. We mock, deride, and loath anything and anyone that gets in the way of our perceived spiritual agendas and causes. We create our own saviors—our self tailored “sons of God.” Strange and all too familiar caricatures of Christ. No different than the Pharisees of old that perceived real, or made up injustices, and then went about to forcibly remove them. 

When Herod put Barabbas beside Jesus of Nazareth, the disparity could not have been any more clear. One, who would NOT secure their seats of power and preserve their precious nationalism—but—He promised to forgive their sin and HEAL their land! The other, their chosen one, would use every means possible, even violence, to insure the objective for a church state. 

There, on one side, beaten, bedraggled and bleeding. A purple vesture draped around his drooped shoulders mocking him. The other, raucous, belligerent and riotous. Ready to do their bidding. “BARABBAS! GIVE US BARABBAS...”

God, in the shadow of Calvary, will never deliver a nation through the raucous revolutionary, the Barabbas's of 1st Century Rome. Yet, we've seen this repeat itself time and time again. Crying from the banisters of history, “BARABBAS! GIVE US BARABBAS!” 

The Inquisitions, when the church of that day, had the power to arrest, condemn and judge anyone that they perceived to not fall in line with their Christian ideology. It was not the Peter that was commanded to, “Feed My Sheep.” But Peter with his sword striking the ear off anyone who dared oppose his plan. 

This spirit of Barabbas is buried deep in the DNA of Americana. From the Puritans, who mercilessly burned anyone at the stake who dared to defy their Christian Nationalism. To “Manifest Destiny,” that gave authority to church leaders in tandem with government policy, to imprison, deport and even murder those that didn't comply. A far cry from the Nazarene. Who gave his early disciples a mandate to “make disciples,” not political puppets. 

We stand at a historic and spiritual precipice again. Two roads have diverged. On one, a stunning moment affords itself for the true Church of Jesus Christ, and it's humble, brokenhearted, contrite leadership to lead us into intentional prayer and repentance. To follow the treatise of 2nd Chronicles 7:14, knowing that it in the end, it will lead to healing and God breathed revival. 

On the other side, stands Barabbas. A dark ominous historic shadow. Proud and defiant. A Frankenstein of spiritual and political ambition. Flanked by their political profiteers and prophets that cry incessantly—“BARABBAS! GIVE US BARABBAS!"