Barabbas. They choose death over life

Be careful of what you wish for, as you just might get it. Since the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of all Jews from the holy land almost two thousand years ago, the Jewish people have only faced murder, rape, oppression and anti-semitism. Of all nations and people of different ethnics, religions and creed. The Jews are hated the most. How is it possible? I thought about that the other day, and the name Barabbas came in mind. The name Barabbas means "son of a father", and a certain Barabbas is found in Luke 23…

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”^[17]

¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

²² For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

²³ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.²⁴ So Pilate decided to grant their demand.²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

And Matt 27…

¹¹ Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

¹² When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” ¹⁴ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

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^[b] 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.

You see, I truly believe that Pilate wanted to save Christ, and he arranged to have Barabbas stand next to Christ, and was sure the crowed would pick Christ over a murdering criminal. Normally when they held these festivals, they picked two criminals who were an even match in their crimes, but it was obvious this was not even. Christ who never sinned was God in the flesh, who is also Son of the Father, standing next to one of the most dangerous men in that region, named "son of a father" who we all are btw. Christ who is truth, Love, life, the way and the resurrection was rejected by God's chosen people. Instead, they chose death and persecution. Barabbas in my opinion is a reflection of all mankind with the exception of Jesus Christ, and he was sent free while Christ took the punishment in his stead. Barabbas was sentenced to be put to death for his rebellious crimes just as we are rebellious to God, but Christ took his place instead. This event in my opinion was symbolic for what Christ did on the Cross. Barabbas who deserved to die according to our standards was replaced willingly by a love that cannot be imagined here on earth. Barabbas who probably deserved love the least, was saved because of a great love for him from one who with a word, could shatter our planet to billions of pieces. I believe that this has cost the Jewish people and all their generations a great deal of pain and agony for making this choice. As it was them who made it.