Jesus Barabbas

Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?[1]

Not only was Barabbas's first name Jesus, but his last name, Barabbas, means son (bar) of the father (abba). Jesus had always referred to himself as the Son of the Father (and his adversaries had always refused to acknowledge that he was). So now we had two men named Jesus, each a "son of the father", but opposite fathers, it would seem.[2]

The variant "Jesus Barabbas" in Matthew 27:16-17 occurs in only a few Greek and Syriac manuscripts. It is absent in the major 4th and 5th century uncials: Alef, Alpha, Beta, Delta, etc.[3]

Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?[4]

sik-ar'-ee-os

Of Latin origin; a dagger man or assassin; a freebooter (Jewish fanatic outlawed by the Romans): - murderer.[5]

The irony of Barabbas having the same name as our Lord is more probable, than the sentimentality of him not. Origen writing in the third century CE thought it an impropriety that an evil man such as Barabbas should have the name Jesus.

Barabbas was an enemy of the Empire, being that he was likely a Jewish zealot or Sicarii. Not only did Barabbas have the same name as the Lord, it’s also possible that Pilate recognized the similarity of their causes. Both Barabbas and Jesus sought to liberate Israel. Barabbas through violent political rebellion, and Jesus through sacrifice and love. Pilate’s hint he would like Jesus to go free, was countered by the argument that Jesus was a threat to Caesar and the Empire, because he claimed to be a king. Pilate offered to release a prisoner, the people were to choose either Jesus Barabbas or Jesus of Nazareth. To prevent moderate thinking people from influencing the choice, the leaders along with their cohorts stirred the crowed to call for Jesus Barabbas to be released and for Jesus the Messiah to be crucified. The Jewish leadership got what they wanted, they would keep their positions and status, but for how long?

The Sicarii might well be blamed for the Jewish rebellion of 66 CE. They were an early version of terrorists. While they shared a similar cause to the Zealots, they were more ruthless and undisciplined. The Sicarii killed Jews to prevent them from fleeing Jerusalem during its siege. Zealots believed that God would protect the temple and city they fought against Rome to gain independence. The Sicarii killed indiscriminately. The modus operandi of Barabbas appears more like that of the Sicarii than the Zealots, but both were entirely antithetical to that of Jesus. While being questioned by Pilate, Jesus asserted that his kingdom was different. Interestingly the text answers the question –different to what?

My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.[6]

One might conjecture that Jesus refused any comparison to Barabbas. Jesus’ cause was spiritual, and did not want anyone to think that his cause was earthly, or had anything to do with the overthrow of Rome. The enemy of Jesus was not Rome, it was the leadership of Israel. The chief priests and the elders, the leaders of Israel feature in parables of Jesus as wicked overlords. They were evil shepherds plundering the flock for their own appetites. The leaders needed to fabricate reasons for putting Jesus to death. They lied. They portrayed Jesus as a political agitator, as a disruptive force exciting rebellion. Jesus was apolitical, completely immersed in his spiritual cause. That cause was “the kingdom of heaven”. Pilate may have seen some similarity between Jesus’ cause and Barabbas’ rebellion, but the Lord cleared that up. There was, and never will be, a connection between earthly politics and the kingdom of God.

The crowd on that fateful day were manipulated by the chief priests and elders to call for the release of Barabbas, and the crucifixion of the Son of God. That was a bad choice, and yet it has been repeated many times through the course of history. People when faced with a choice of earthly benefit or spiritual responsibility, often go with what is at hand. There exists a strong proclivity to opt for temporal benefits, for those things that are immediate and material. At his arrest Jesus’ disciples were prepared to fight to protect him;

Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’[7]

With physical resistance out of the question, the only option for the disciples was to flee. Not until after the resurrection would Jesus’ disciples begin to gather the import of spirituality. Every day we face choices; I wonder if we consider the consequences of all the decisions we make. Often times we default to habit not really considering the impact of our choices. As we grow in Christ our choices will reflect our spirituality. And, hopefully our causes will be more and more spiritual. The enemies of Christ will endeavour to solicit choices which bolster their objectives. We need to look to Jesus for strength and guidance to make spiritually based choices, when confronted with options that could diminish our spirituality.

  

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[1] Mat 27:17

[2] http://www.emergingtruths.com/jesus_and_barabbas/jesus_and_barabbas.html

[3] http://www.hebrew-streams.org/works/ntstudies/yeshua-bar-abba.html

[4] Act 21:38

[5] Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries

[6] Joh 18:36 

[7] Mat 26:51-54

A not so subtle warning

·         The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them

·         They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders

·         they do all their deeds to be noticed by men

·         They love the place of honor … and being called Rabbi by men

·         woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in

·         you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers

·         you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves

·         Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated

·         Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated

·         you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness

·         You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel

·         you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence

·         you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness

·         upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah

·         all these things will come upon this generation[1]

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day. The criticism was meant for that generation and for those leaders. It would be a terrible mistake to generally apply Jesus’ criticism to all religious leaders today. That would be wrong on two counts; one, no one today has the ability to assess motives or intent as Jesus did. Secondly, the reproach of Jesus was very specific in that he named the offenders. It was not a sweeping or nebulous rebuke, it was very pointed and specific. Are there religious leaders whose behaviour are similar in nature to those whom Jesus rebuked? –yes. Are all religious leaders like that? –no! Are there churches that emphasize similar traits as Judaism under its leaders? –yes. Are all churches like that? –no! If you are in a church or under a leadership you believe behaves in a manner that would bring Jesus’ reproach upon them, then as a younger set used to say, “Vote with your feet.” Don’t stay where you are miserable and frustrated, leave. Find a church or leadership which better fits your belief of what is biblical. The worst thing you can do is to stay in a situation which causes you frustration, it will lead to spiritual decay and death. It’s not the church, or the preacher to whom you are committed –it’s Jesus. Every person needs to have a relationship with God through Jesus. Churches are human institutions; they are excellent if they encourage a Christ-like walk, but if they don’t, leave and find a church that encourages your relationship with God.

The admonition of Jesus to the Jewish leaders was very specific, however, their behaviours and attitudes were very human. One shouldn’t look at the list of bad behaviours as applying only to religious leaders. I believe we would do well to individually consider the issues revealed in Jesus’ reprimand to see if any similar attitudes lurk in the shadows of our minds. The human failings illuminated in Jesus forceful condemnation of the Jewish leaders afflict many people, not only leaders. We may be wise to consider what is written as a, not so subtle warning. There is no blessing to be had, in sitting through a service that leaves you frustrated and angry. If that’s what you think religious service is, you need to read the list of reproaches again. The Jewish leaders were very, very, religious, but selfishly so. They were consumed with appearance, and recognition. Their religion was ritualistic –the keeping of laws and pedantic interpretation of scripture. Their religion was relative, but not relational. The lives of Jewish leaders, no matter what sect, were governed by the strict adherence to religious legalities. Religious accomplishment was relative to their interpretation and application of law.

What is seen in the life of Jesus is the very opposite to the religious behaviours of the Jewish leadership. Jesus was all about people, he felt people’s pain, he empathized with their frustration, he wept with them in grief, and he reached out to the sick and needy. Jesus was authentically human, as well as superbly divine. He was absorbed in his Father’s work, in his Father’s glorification, and he was consumed by his Father’s love. All of which he translated through his life. Jesus brought what was heavenly to earth, and what was eternal to the world. We make the mistake of thinking that a church can do what Jesus did, that’s impossible. No institution, great, poor, or in between, can shine the light Jesus left for his followers to brighten darkness. Jesus was made human to bring the reflection of God to earth. It was through his life and his teaching that God the Redeemer was introduced to humanity. Jesus didn’t bring another religion, he brought God to earth. He established his kingdom in which we can be citizens. Believers are the “…chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that we may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.”[2]

Discipleship is not about exactness, not that anyone can ever achieve exactness in interpretation or living. It’s not about exclusiveness, Jesus was the most inclusive teacher there has ever been. It’s not about ritual, it’s about relationship. Relationship with God through Christ, and relationship with each other in Christ. We need to ponder on Jesus’ rebuke to the religious leaders of his day, to hear what was said, and then if necessary, to remove any trace of hypocrisy from our lives. Our duty is to let the love and grace of God radiate through our lives. We have to endeavour to allow the attitudes of Jesus to govern our lives. To do that we must know him, and to do that, we must absorb ourselves in the scriptures which reveal who and what Jesus was.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.[3]

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[1] Matt 23

[2] 1Pe 2:9 

[3] Col 3:14-17