Seeing Easter Though The Eyes Of Barabbas

Sermon – Seeing Easter Though the Eyes of Barabbas

Luke 23:13-25 New Living Translation

13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”[a] 18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.”

Introduction: Have you ever thought about Easter through the eyes of Barabbas? His name means son of the father or son of the Rabbi. Barabbas was a well-known sinner who had come to the end of the line. Historians seem to think that he and two of his gang members were arrested together for the crimes against Roman and the Jewish community. He may have begun his journey as an insurrectionist or a freedom fighter. His group may have had noble, patriotic purposes in mind. Yet like most villainies, they evolve into criminals, working for their own gain and notoriety. This scene is put forth by Pilate trying to find a door out of a narrow place. Pilate uses an old almost forgotten Jewish law to secure the release of Jesus. In offering to release a prisoner, Pilate assume people would prefer Jesus over Barabbas. How wrong he was.

Pilate just want this case to go away. He understood the leader’s motive against Jesus. They were jealous and envious of Jesus. Pilate preferred not to deal with Jesus at all. He sent Jesus to Herod, when Herod returned Jesus without charges, Pilate had to deal with it. Finally, he calls for a basin to wash his hands of the matter and turns Jesus over to the Jews to be crucified. Many people would like to wash their hands and not deal with Jesus. We all must answer the question, “What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ? That is the real question! Not what shall I do about police brutality, violence, hypocrites, or weak disciples and such? What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?

One can only imagine the shock and awe experienced by Barabbas. He was guilty of every charge. He is on death row awaiting execution, then the surprise come. “You are free to go! Matthew calls Barabbas a notorious prisoner who reputation proceeded him. Mark calls him a murderer. John describes him as a robber. Luke said, he was guilty of sedition and murder. He is the good, bad, and ugly rolled into one. Each of the four gospel writers describes Barabbas to make sure we get a clear picture of this evil man. Barabbas trapped in his prison cell about 2000 feet from public proceeding, probably thought the crowd was calling for his crucifixion immediately. Barabbas could only hear the noise of the crowd. The crowd was shouting his name, “Barabbas, Barabbas!” Then the next shouts he heard crucify him! Crucify him! From what could hear, he thought the whole world had revolted against him and he was about to be instantly crucified. When suddenly, without warning, He is dragged and told “You are free to go!” Free to go? Why? “Someone else is dying in your place today!” “On your way!” Barabbas was a sinner and knew it. He was guilty and knew it. He deserved to be punished and his punishment was just! He understood it. Yet, Barabbas desired a way out, a way to freedom more than anything. If only he could have a second chance. Then it happened. He was the first to benefit from the death of Jesus. The first to discover true freedom, redemption, grace and a second chance. We are like Barabbas, I hope we can see Easter through his eyes.