We Are All Barabbas
by Paul Tautges | April 19, 2025 3:12 am
When we read the history of Jesus’s crucifixion, we may easily skim over a man named Barabbas. But we shouldn’t overlook him—because, in many ways, we are all Barabbas.
Barabbas was a rebel. And so are we.
Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.” Like Barabbas, we have each chosen our own path, rebelling against God’s authority.
Barabbas was a prisoner. So are we.
Romans 5:12 tells us, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” We were born into sin, and apart from Christ, we remain in bondage. But Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
Barabbas was a murderer. And in a deeper sense, so are we.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder…’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment… and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:21-22).
Each of us has harbored anger, hatred, and contempt in our hearts. We’ve even spoken murderous words.
Barabbas was a criminal. So are we.
We’ve all broken God’s holy law. James 2:10 reminds us, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”
But there is good news.
Jesus, the sinless Son of God, lived a perfect life. He never rebelled. He never hated. He never sinned. And yet, He died the death of a criminal.
Two men stood before an angry crowd: Barabbas and Jesus.
The mob demanded that Pontius Pilate release Barabbas—a guilty man—and crucify Jesus, the innocent one. In that moment, ancient prophecy came to life.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Barabbas walked free because Jesus took his place.
And that’s our story too.
We are all Barabbas—guilty yet pardoned. Jesus took our place.
If you believe this—if you have received and embraced Christ—then you are no longer a prisoner. You are free.
To be saved, you and I must look into the mirror of our own heart and see our sinfulness for what it is. And we must conclude, “I am Barabbas.” And we must look to Jesus as the one who died in our place.
*Mark 15:6-8; Matt. 27:17-25; Luke 23:16-24
Related
Source URL: https://counselingoneanother.com/2025/04/19/we-are-barabbas/
We Are All Barabbas
by Paul Tautges | April 19, 2025 3:12 am
When we read the history of Jesus’s crucifixion, we may easily skim over a man named Barabbas. But we shouldn’t overlook him—because, in many ways, we are all Barabbas.
Barabbas was a rebel. And so are we.
Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.” Like Barabbas, we have each chosen our own path, rebelling against God’s authority.
Barabbas was a prisoner. So are we.
Romans 5:12 tells us, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” We were born into sin, and apart from Christ, we remain in bondage. But Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
Barabbas was a murderer. And in a deeper sense, so are we.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder…’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment… and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:21-22).
Each of us has harbored anger, hatred, and contempt in our hearts. We’ve even spoken murderous words.
Barabbas was a criminal. So are we.
We’ve all broken God’s holy law. James 2:10 reminds us, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”
But there is good news.
Jesus, the sinless Son of God, lived a perfect life. He never rebelled. He never hated. He never sinned. And yet, He died the death of a criminal.
Two men stood before an angry crowd: Barabbas and Jesus.
The mob demanded that Pontius Pilate release Barabbas—a guilty man—and crucify Jesus, the innocent one. In that moment, ancient prophecy came to life.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Barabbas walked free because Jesus took his place.
And that’s our story too.
We are all Barabbas—guilty yet pardoned. Jesus took our place.
If you believe this—if you have received and embraced Christ—then you are no longer a prisoner. You are free.
To be saved, you and I must look into the mirror of our own heart and see our sinfulness for what it is. And we must conclude, “I am Barabbas.” And we must look to Jesus as the one who died in our place.
*Mark 15:6-8; Matt. 27:17-25; Luke 23:16-24
Related
Source URL: https://counselingoneanother.com/2025/04/19/we-are-barabbas/