Were you there? Barabbas

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[a] Barabbas.  So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Matthew 27:15, NIV

Barabbas is the only person in the Bible who could, in a physical sense, say, "Christ died for me."

His name holds profound meaning. In Aramaic, "bar" means "son," and "abba" means "father," often translated as "the Father." So, Barabbas' name literally means "son of the father." In the Greek manuscripts of verses 16 and 17, we read, "And they had then a notable prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. Therefore, when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

Pilate presents the crowd with a choice between two men named Jesus. One is Jesus Barabbas, the son of an earthly father, and the other is Jesus, the Son of the Heavenly Father. The choice is stark, yet the crowd chooses Barabbas.

This choice between the two figures symbolises the decision we all must make. Will we choose Jesus Barabbas, who represents everything the world values, or Jesus, the Christ, the eternal Son of the Father?

Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, I know that only Jesus has the power to cleanse, forgive, justify, and transform me. Only he can perfect me for his glory for all eternity. So, I choose Jesus. I embrace the life he offers and walk in the freedom he has won for me. Help me to continually prefer him. In Jesus' name. Amen.