I am Barrabas: He is my resurrection & life

Canvas Church : San Diego CA

I am Barrabas: He is my resurrection & life

"Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified." (Matthew 27:11-26 ESV)

Barrabas vs Jesus , surly Jesus would win right!? A criminal vs a healer. However, the people voted to release Barrabas instead. 

Your probably thinking, wow in comparison to Jesus, Barrabas shouldn't be released ! He is not worthy ...as if we are? It's easy to see others & point out their flaws. In that moment God decided, let my son Barrabas go free & crucify my other son Jesus. God knows that Barrabas is unworthy but that is the very purpose of Jesus's death.

 You and I are Barrabas! 

The resurrection of Christ, before there was a resurrection of Christ, was a reality to Barrabas 3 days before the actual resurrection. Foreshadowing & fulfillment of God's will. Christ put on the sins of humanity so that we could be born again. He suffered for the weight of our sins & took our place so that we don't have to die. Barrabas is the only one in all of history who can say that Christ PHYSICALLY took his place. 

.."by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:14 ESV)

You are free!