A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. …Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:7, 15)
The crowd wanted Barabbas. It is an interesting choice. Barabbas’ name literally means “son (bar) of the father (abba).” Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God, the Son of the Father.
I wonder how Barabbas got that name. Either his father simply named him “my son” or perhaps Barabbas claimed some divine messianic role himself. It is clear that he led an uprising with the intent of casting off the rule of Rome. He was an insurrectionist, a man vehemently opposed to Roman domination of Israel and willing to kill and be killed in the cause. He was the “messiah” that many in Israel wanted. An angry man, a hardened warrior, a man willing to kill for freedom.
Jesus was a different Messiah than what the people expected or wanted. Sure, He healed and did many miraculous things but He never seemed to address their real problem, Rome. He seemed much more interested in talking about their bondage to sin than their bondage to the cruel Romans. And He never seemed to want their support. He often hid from the crowds and downplayed His miracles and told people to keep silent about his Messianic role. What kind of Messiah is this? A compassionate man, a quiet healer, a man willing to die for the freedom of others.
I think the choice between Barabbas and Jesus is still with us today. What kind of Messiah do we want? What kind of deliverance do we want? Barabbas offers deliverance from external problems, the quick fix, the immediate solution. Get angry. Take action. Do things your way.
Jesus bids us down a different path. There are no quick fixes, only daily steps of obedience. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. Pursue love. Live in humility. Serve others. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. It is a strange path and not one we are familiar with. That is why we must give up our own way and follow the One who knows the way, who is the Way. Because His path is the only one that leads to life.