I am Barabbas
I am Barabbas: A Holy Week Reflection
As we enter into Holy Week, our hearts and minds turn to the events which have shaped our faith—the journey of Jesus Christ from His entry into Jerusalem to His resurrection. This week, we reflect on the profound lyrics of a song that tells the story of Barabbas, a man whose life was spared because Jesus took his place.
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!”
The story of Barabbas is a stark reminder of the grace that is extended to us through Christ. Barabbas, a known criminal, stood awaiting death, yet he was released while Jesus, the innocent preacher from Galilee, was condemned. The lyrics, “I am Barabbas, you took upon my cross,” resonate with the core of the Gospel message—the innocent taking the place of the guilty. The cross Jesus Christ carried justifiably belonged to Barabbas. As Mark tells us, Barabbas partook in a rebellion which took the life of another. Barabbas was literally a condemned murder. Yet, Jesus Christ took his place, and Barabbas was set free.
In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the Day of Atonement is described in Leviticus 16, where two goats are presented before the Lord. One is sacrificed, and the other, the scapegoat, is sent away into the wilderness, carrying the sins of the people. The act of atonement finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who becomes the ultimate scapegoat, carrying away our sins and granting us freedom. The entire Old Testament sacrificial system was designed and created to point to this coming Messiah who would rescue Israel from their sins.
Holy Week encapsulates the journey of redemption. On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, hailed as a king. By Good Friday, He is the sacrificial lamb, crucified on the cross, bearing the weight of our transgressions. And we look forward to Easter Sunday, when we rejoice in His resurrection, the victory over sin and death. I encourage you to take time this week to have some intentional discussion about the significance of this week in your home. If you haven't yet, choose some traditions to celebrate this central point of our faith life.
The lyrics of the song can serve as a poignant backdrop for each day of Holy Week. They remind us that, like Barabbas, we are the beneficiaries of Christ’s sacrifice. This is known as "The Great Exchange" as Luther describes, "You Lord Jesus, are my righteousness, but I am sin. You have taken upon yourself what is mine and have given to me what is yours. You have taken upon yourself what you were not and have given to me what I was not."(1)
As we ponder the lyrics and the events of Holy Week, we are reminded to see ourselves in Barabbas. We recognize the cost of our freedom and the love that was poured out for us. This Holy Week, let us embrace the fullness of the story—from the Old Testament scapegoat to the resurrection of Christ—and let Christ's redemptive work transform our hearts and lives.