Robbery, Rebellion, Murder – In The News Around The World
BARABBAS TODAY
From his dark and dingy cell, Barabbas could hear the noisy crowd that had gathered in the courtyard outside. He began to sweat profusely. He knew all about Pilate’s custom of releasing one prisoner, and crucifying the other. It was a sordid game he enjoyed playing, and which kept the crowd happy. Nervousness and fear gripped Barabbas, as the door of his prison cell was flung open and two Roman guards appeared.
Robbery
In setting out to discover who this man really was, we arrive at the not-too-startling discovery that we possess a remarkable moral likeness to him. To begin with, Barabbas was a robber. (Jn. 19:40). That we have robbed God, is borne out in Romans 1 where we are given a brief moral history of mankind – not only prior to the flood, but up to the present time: “When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.” It goes on to say that mankind “worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Rom. 1:21-25 kjv).
Today, the teaching of evolution and removal of prayer from schools are further examples that God has been robbed of the glory and honor due Him. Not long ago, a motion was introduced in the House of Commons in Ottawa to remove the phrase, “the supremacy of God” from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and replace it with the phrase, “the supremacy of intellectual freedom.” Furthermore, we have robbed God of our time and energy, which we devote to things of no lasting value.
Rebellion
The next thing we learn about Barabbas is found in Mark 15:7: “And there was one named Barabbas, who lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him.” He stirred up dissent among the people, and led an open rebellion against the government – much like what we hear taking place around the globe today. The Spirit of God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah has this to say: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken. I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass it’s master’s crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters. They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward” (Isa. 1:2-4). The same prophet describes us, moreover, as “sheep that have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way” (Isa. 53:6).
Murder
So far we have seen that Barabbas was not only guilty of robbery, but also rebellion. Finally, Mark 17:7 tells us that he “had committed murder in the insurrection.” The solemn truth is that you and I are guilty of the death of God’s Son. In Acts 4:25-27, we read these words: “Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. For of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together.”
Today
Today, many still cry, “Away with Him! Crucify Him!” Are you one of them? The good news is that Jesus did not die as a martyr, but as the Substitute for our sins. Because He died, Barabbas walked away a free man. It was in the predetermined counsels of God that Jesus should suffer so that you and I may be reconciled to God. He suffered, “the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Pet. 3:18).
Do you agree that we are guilty of robbery, rebellion and murder? Then you may respond in one of two ways. You may still reject Him as the mob did, or you may respond like the penitent thief on the cross and say, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” And Jesus responded, “Today thou shalt be with Me in paradise.” (Lk. 23:43).
Like Barabbas, every sinner is under condemnation, for John 3:18 says, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Your only freedom lies in believing and receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. Pilate’s question, “What shall I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?” still demands a response – this time from you.
By Richard Barnett