Give Us Barabbas

><> INTRODUCTION

Murder in the church — an oxymoronic phrase, as murder shouldn’t be taking place in the church, right? Yet, though murder shouldn’t be taking place in the church, it is an extremely frequent and embraced tactic among people who profess the Lord Jesus.

One of the reasons that God has sent the “Murder in the Church” series of messages is to provide a sense of comfort to the victims. For too long (especially since murderers have been in the majority), victims have been left without much tangible comfort, but in this season, it is critical that those who suffer at the hands of the Cains, Sauls, and Pharisees of our day be encouraged to press on in the Lord, to embrace the word of God, and to endure hardship in the Lord so that the integrity of serving God is preserved.

What? Did you think that “murder in the church” was all about you? Did you think that people trying to “kill” you was a personal issue (only)? The enemy seeks to kill anyone with an “Abel-like spirit” (and has ALWAYS done so) because such a person is an affront to the kingdom of darkness. Remember, it only takes a little light to scatter darkness, so the enemy seeks to squash anything representative of the Lord Jesus — if it’s true.

The enemy, however, does not rise up against himself. Jesus mentions an interesting principle in Matthew 12:26 saying, “And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” The devil facilitates and protects his own agendas and programs. His whole system is set up to support itself. Hence, while the enemy wages constant war against the adulterated word of God and those that present it, he has established systems of belief (i.e., strongholds) that cause people to support his “fake Christian initiatives”.

It is this phenomena that is reflected by today’s topic of “Give Us Barabbas”. Many people’s lives cry “give us Barabbas” all the time, demanding and setting approval on and/or giving freedom of operation to “murderers”, while doing any and everything to stymie the work of Christ. If you don’t get this point, we’ll make it clear as we explain the issues surrounding Barabbas and what it means to us today. We’ll explain the spirit behind what represents Barabbas today, as well as looking at the people who demanded his release from prison when they had the option to have Jesus released.

When we are done, you (should) understand the importance of this matter and be able to examine yourself to see where you stand — at the moment of judgment and at the face of someone’s unjustifiable crucifixion/murder.

Today, we’ll present several issues in what we’ll call “snapshot” form, as there are many items to present. We’ll sum them all up at the end.

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (Setting the Stage)

After Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, a murderous act in and of itself, Jesus was taken as a prisoner for questioning (i.e., interrogation). This was a standard procedure any time a person was under arrest, just as law enforcement officials do today.

The Pharisees and Sadducees has conspired to have Jesus brought up on false charges in an attempt to destroy His ministry, His influence, and His good name. Please keep in mind that such an attack is only successful to a degree, even though it appears to be successful visibly. In addition, the conspirators were using Roman law to carry out judgment against someone that was (in their minds) guilty of offending concerning THE law.

This act was actually condemned by THE law, but the Pharisees and Sadducees didn’t care. They just wanted Jesus dead. They had been thoroughly exposed and identified as false, jackleg leaders who didn’t have a remote idea of what they were doing. From the first exposure, they had determined to destroy Jesus and were (so they thought) about to finally see their plans come to pass after 3-1/2 years of planning, meetings, and attempts to make Jesus look bad.

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (Last Chance at Repentance)

After Jesus was delivered to the officers and was being questioned, Pilate knew that Jesus had been delivered to the law because of envy. Knowing that one prisoner had to be released, Pilate presented an option to the people. The option — “Will you that I release unto you Jesus or Barabbas?” This option, unknown to many, was actually a last chance at repentance. “Are you sure you want to do this?” was the question that was being asked in the Spirit.

Instead of releasing Jesus, the voice of the chief priests and the people prevailed and Barabbas was released.

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (The Dream and the Continued Effort to Release)

During the appeal to the people and presentation of the option. Pilate’s wife shared a dream in which she received revelation that Jesus was innocent. Matthew 27:17-19 says, “Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”

After hearing this, Pilate presented the option a second time, but the people would have none of it. Pilate continued to divert the people, but with no success. He asked them what they should do with Jesus and they insisted that He be crucified. Pilate even reminded the people that Jesus had “done no evil”. They were reminded that He was innocent. They didn’t care. It was obvious that something was wrong.

Knowing that justice had not been done (but yet willing to please the people — Mark 15:15), he delivered Jesus to be crucified.

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (The Option and the Obviousness of the Choice)

Luke 23:20 lets us know that Pilate was “willing to release Jesus”. Pilate actually attempted to set up an obvious situation in which he could be free of the injustice that was about to be done to Jesus and put the “nail in the coffin” concerning a BIG problem that had arisen recently.

Knowing that one prisoner would be released to the people and desiring to release Jesus, Pilate presented the option of Jesus or Barabbas. Everyone knew about what Barabbas had done. Everyone knew how he had risen up against the government. Everyone knew that he had killed someone. Everyone knew that he hated Pilate.

Unfortunately, everyone was under heavy demonic influence. Given the choice of doing good for a child of God and a child of the devil, who do you think will get the benefit? The people chose to release a hardened, impenitent, and still dangerous criminal back into society That’s like giving a serial killer or a monster a full pardon to walk the streets.

Comparing the profiles of Barabbas and Jesus, it was obvious that something was wrong, but Pilate was left with no choice.

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (The Persuasion of the Priests)

So bound by hatred and envy (a blatant manifestation demonic activity), the chief priests, desiring to make sure that nothing went wrong with their plans for death against Jesus AND knowing that an appeal would be made for Jesus’ release (because one prisoner would be released), made strong efforts to influence the people in a way that would ensure His death. Matthew 27:20 says, “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.”

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (The Willingness to Do Harm)

Matthew 27:24-25 says, When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”

Please take note of the passion behind the willingness to destroy Jesus. Look at all of the misdeeds that have taken place here:

Using the law for their own agenda
Embraced and released a notorious prisoner back into the public to do more harm
Despised the good that Jesus did
Despised who Jesus was (knowing full well that He was from God — see John 3)
Were fully willing to destroy Jesus
WERE SO WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO CURSE THEIR CHILDREN!!!

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (The Futility of Washing One’s Hands)

Matthew 27:24 says, “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.”

Pilate’s “hand washing” episode is familiar to many people, even spawning a cliche about “washing one’s hands” of a situation which one considers themselves to be innocent. What people don’t understand is that we are not clean unless God makes us clean.

While Pilate washed his hands before the people, remember, the Bible also said that he was willing to “please the people” (Mark 15:15). That, in and of itself, is an affront to God.

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (Profile of Barabbas)

Do you know who Barabbas is? Knowing who he is and what he did (why he was in jail) helps to understand why his release, especially contrasted with Jesus was so ridiculous. It also, however, lays the foundation which enables us to see that people are doing the same things today.

Consider the following points about Barabbas:

Matthew 27:16 says that Barabbas was a “notable prisoner”.
The word “notable” is key. It confirms that Barabbas was not just any old general type of prisoner. The word “notable” means “well-known, notorious, and infamous”. This means that whatever he did was known by all and affected many.
He was a murderer.
He was guilty of insurrection against Pilate (i.e., part of a rebel force).
He was despised by the people for his acts.
He was also a robber.

If given the opportunity, would you let someone like this back onto the streets to roam free? No! Nobody in their right mind would do such a thing.

><> GIVE US BARABBAS (Putting it All Together)

Now, it’s time to put all of this together so that we can hear, without doubt, what the Spirit is saying to the church. Consider the following:

The Pharisees and Sadducees used Roman law to condemn Jesus to death.
Didn’t mention this earlier, but the Pharisees and Sadducees hired liars to testify against Jesus, leading to His arrest and conviction — another act that violated THE law.
They did so out of envy, hatred, and blindness.
The people had an opportunity to free Jesus, but, instead, chose to condemn Him.
In order to seal Jesus’ fate, the people had to embrace someone else that was unworthy of embracing — ONE WHO WAS OBVIOUS AND NOTORIOUS FOR DOING HARM TO AND OFFENDING THE PEOPLE OF A TRUTH.
The people chose to ignore Jesus’ innocence and integrity.
The people allowed themselves to be influenced by obviously corrupt (and exposed) leadership.
The people wanted to see Jesus destroyed so badly that they were willing to be cursed. Now, that’s desperate.

The released party, Barabbas, was a known murderer, thief, and rebel. Yet, they still chose to let him go free. Barabbas’ freedom, given by a bunch of blind, self-seeking, people who, by the way, were mainly trying to conceal their own corruption, is just like what’s happening in the church today.

Many leaders today are like Pilate — knowing what the correct judgment is, but willing to do anything to keep the favor of the people.
Some people indirectly contribute to someone’s “death” (i.e., attack, persecution, discouragement, lack of support, oppression, etc.) and try to claim innocence since they didn’t agree with what was being done to them, but the truth is that they are accomplices and accomplices get convicted of crimes just like those that commit the crimes.
Many today are like those who had an opportunity to free Jesus. They know that someone is innocent. They have first hand knowledge of the good that someone has done. They know that the person is truly from God. Yet, these same people, knowing all that they know, are still willing to hurt the godly person and do things to HELP the devilish one(s).
Remembering that Barabbas was a robber, rebel, and murderer, PLEASE NOTE THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY A TYPE AND A SHADOW OF FALSE PROPHETS AND FALSE CHURCH LEADERS TODAY. JESUS’ DISCOURSE IN JOHN 10 ABOUT THE THIEF AND THE ROBBER IS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE DEVIL. THE DEVIL IS NEVER EVEN REMOTELY MENTIONED IN THAT PASSAGE. JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT “THOSE THAT COME UP SOME OTHER WAY”. HE’S TALKING ABOUT FALSE LEADERS. THEY ARE THE THIEVES AND ROBBERS!!!! THEY ARE THE BARABBASES OF TODAY!!!! PEOPLE WOULD RATHER EMBRACE, SUPPORT, AND ALLOW A FALSE, DEVILISH LEADER TO OPERATE UNINHIBITED THAN TO SUPPORT SOMEONE THAT STANDS FOR THE UNADULTERATED WORD OF GOD AND THE TRUE PURPOSES OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!!!

><> CONCLUSION

Where do you fit in this equation today? Are you in Pilate’s shoes? Do you know about someone’s mistreatment (a person serving God and set for the defense of the gospel) and have the ability to cause the improper treatment to cease? Are you in the chief priests’ shoes? Are you trying to evil affect the hearts of the people towards a righteous individual — especially for one’s own personal gain or cover-up? Are you in the shoes of the people — gullible, unsuspecting, and ignoring the obvious witness of God on someone’s behalf — and causing innocent people to suffer, hindering the gospel and all that it stands for?

Are you one of the people that DESIRES BARABBAS? Do you support BARABBAS? Do you desire to see him go free? Would you rather have a murderous, stealing, conniving leader at the helm of your ship or would you rather have Jesus and a pastor after God’s own heart, feeding you with knowledge and understanding?

Many today desire Barabbas. This is heavily reflected in the many highly offensive Christian TV and radio programs, as well as many of the books and periodicals available to us. Many of those who are thieves and robbers lack no support or freedom and, sadly, many more just like them are being and have been spawned by their ministries and are coming up through the ranks.

Review your choice today, for the question is still being asked — WILL YOU THAT I RELEASE CHRIST UNTO YOU? And people are making the wrong choice. Choose Jesus . . . and live. If you have chosen Barabbas in the past, repent. If you don’t understand what’s happening, ask God for wisdom and clarity. Ask God to enlarge your heart so that you can run in the way of His commandments —so you can be blessed of the Lord.

Remember when thieves and robbers and murderers are allowed to operate freely, people get hurt and lose their possessions. People lose that which is rightfully theirs. God put on human flesh so that we might have life and that more abundantly. Those who choose Barabbas are forsaking their own blessings.

Until next time, don’t choose Barabbas. Keep the word and be blessed!