For Whom Christ Died
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I would like for us to jump ahead in the story today for a frame of reference. Before we back up and trace through the events of this Maundy Thursday, let’s use a story from Matthew’s gospel to set our point of reference. You see, we may have the tendency to read these stories as an outside observer who stands apart from the story. But the Bible is a living document. It is God’s revelation of himself, his world, and his people. And you and I, we are counted as part of his people. That means this story is also about us.
This leaves us with some options. What perspective do we hold for ourselves in reading these stories of this week in particular? Do we imagine ourselves as among the disciples? We are the followers of Jesus who desire to be obedient to our Lord, and are reminded in these stories that even the closest disciples of Jesus scatter away in the moment of Christ’s suffering. Or perhaps do we take the perspective of the Jewish religious leaders who were the masterminds behind the plot to have Jesus arrested and executed? Do we have moments of feeling a bit like Judas, who turns his back on Jesus when the ways of God did not fit his own plan and agenda? Do we see this story from the perspective of the Roman soldiers who carried out the orders? Or how about Pontius Pilate who felt trapped in the power structures of world he was desperately trying to control for his own advancement, even if it means innocent people get trampled down along the way?
I suggest to you that none of these adequately capture our perspective in the events of this week. For the next day I invite us to see ourselves into the events of Maundy Thursday and into Good Friday through the eyes of another character in the story; a character whom I suggest best fits our own approach to the narrative. Barabbas.
Matthew 27:15–26 (NIV)
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 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?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
There is not much we know about Barabbas. Matthew says he was a “well-known prisoner.” Other gospel accounts tell us Barabbas was highly involved in an uprising against the authorities and had committed murder. For some, perhaps this means Barabbas is a sort of robin-hood type hero. He resists Roman rule and occupation through violence and bloodshed. For others who also may have been looking for violent revolt, Barabbas may have been a figurehead of their guerilla warfare movement.
For anyone who just wanted to duck and fly under the radar, Barabbas was trouble. He was stirring the pot and stoking anger and aggression from the Roman soldiers against the people of Israel. For those who had a stake in holding positions of power and influence among the Roman Empire, Barabbas also comes as a threat. Even the Jewish leaders who were not happy about Roman rule and occupation had a reason to hold up and maintain a status quo which gave them a certain amount of wealth and power within the Roman system of government.
It would not be uncommon for Roman forces to react against local aggression and revolt by making life more miserable to everyone. This is Rome’s way of convincing the local population to see Roman rule as better for everyone’s self-interest. In other words, for those just trying to get by make a peaceful life as best they could for themselves, Barabbas was a problem. But Barabbas got caught. The threat he represents against Rome is neutralized. He is being held as a prisoner of Rome. And for crimes such as his—an uprising against the authorities in which he has committed murder—the punishment was certainly a death sentence. Barabbas was on his way to a cross himself; there can be no doubt of that. He committed the crimes; he was caught and found guilty; the consequence for his actions is coming.
We are all Barabbas. In the larger story of a world broken and lost in sin, we are all Barabbas. Each one of us comes into this world holding a sinful nature which stands against us. Each one of us has stacked up a rap sheet of all the ways our sin has taken shape in our lives. It takes shape not only in our actions of thigs we have done, but also in our words of things we have said as well as our inaction of things we have left undone or things we should have said. Our sin takes root in our hearts all the way down to our thoughts and motives. Even without action, by our thoughts alone, we are people who have offended the one who created us as good and intended to be good. We have committed the crimes; we are caught and found guilty; the consequence for our sin is coming. We are all Barabbas.
Imagine sitting there in that dungeon knowing what is coming next. The spectacle of crucifixion was common enough in the Roman world. It was a form of execution meant to make a statement and send a message: this is what happens to those who have offended Rome. Barabbas knows his fate. He knows his actions will result in him being the next one nailed to a cross to pay for his crimes.
There is commotion out in the courtyard of Pilate’s meeting place. There are the shouts of an angry mob demanding a penalty of death. And then soldiers come in to bring Barabbas out. Perhaps at this point he is thinking this is it; it is time to die for his crimes. And then something completely unexpected happens. The soldiers who are supposed to kill Barabbas take off his chains and set him free instead. In a completely unforeseen turn of events, the one who is guilty and is supposed to be executed is set free. And in his place someone else who is found to be completely innocent is sentenced to death on a cross instead. Barabbas—who is guilty—is set free; Jesus—who is innocent—is executed.
We are all Barabbas. That is our perspective in these stories from scripture. In all the events which we read about concerning Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, it should have been us receiving the verdict; it should have been us taking the consequences; it should have been us sent to die. We are all Barabbas. And just like Barabbas, we are all set free now because Jesus has taken our place.
We never read in any of the gospels what becomes of Barabbas. Does he go right back to his treacherous ways? Does he understand the magnitude of what Jesus has done for him by taking his place? Is he overcome by a sense of gratitude knowing that he has been given his life in exchange for the life of Jesus? Does he ever figure out that the label of “declared righteous” which he now wears is only placed upon him because of Jesus—the one who truly is righteous? We never know; the gospels don’t tell us.
I think that’s for the best. The story of Barabbas is left open and unended because ultimately it is a question for us, the readers. The question is not, how did Barabbas react? The question is not, how did Barabbas’ life change because of what Jesus did? The question is meant for us. How will I react because of what Jesus did to take my place? How is my life different now because of what Jesus did to take my place? We are all Barabbas. We see these stories again this week through his eyes.