Barabbas Who?

I still remember my eighth grade year, sitting in a high school English classroom, listening to an excerpt from a Judah Smith sermon with a cool word art display for the video. I remember listening to this eight and a half minute long video, and thinking, “wow”. This was one of the first things that really made me fall in love with Jesus. Why? Well, because the words stated by Smith made me think. What he preached was different. It was almost like looking at the crucifixion of Jesus from a different camera angle. He took the story of Jesus’ death and what lead to it, and gave some point of view with this weird character, Barabbas. Barabbas was a thug. He was a rebel, a thief, a self-sufficient sinner, yet for whatever reason, he was chosen to be set free over the perfect, life-giving, miracle working, gracious life of Jesus. But why? This part of the story was so random to me. Why was it a custom that the government would release a prisoner in the first place? What prisoner deserves a chance to be set free? Barabbas didn’t deserve to be set free. He didn’t do anything to deserve to be chosen. Well, after watching Smith’s sermon, “Jesus is Loving Barabbas”, I now understand. I understand why this weird tradition was a thing. I understand why Jesus set Barabbas free. The whole reason this is here is for us to gain more perspective. I am Barabbas. You are Barabbas. We are all Barabbas. We are thugs, we are rebels, we are thieves, and we are sinners. Yet, because of the great grace He so willingly bestows on us, we are set free. We are prisoners set free, while the perfect Son of God is taking our sin, pain, and place. Now, I’ve mentioned before that I sometimes get emotional with the story of Jesus, but I can’t tell you how emotional this makes me. Every time I watch the sermon, all I think of is my middle school self — so, so lost. I just remember having such an “Aha!” moment where I couldn’t help but tear up. For the first time in my life, I realized that all I needed was Jesus. I deserve death. I deserve to be taken, while Jesus should be set free. But for whatever reason, Jesus chose to set me free and give me the opportunity to be a part of something I have no business in being a part of. This sermon is my favorite sermon, and it’s a big reason why Judah Smith has played a role in my longing for spiritual growth. Because of this, I am going to give you the same “challenge” that Judah gave at the end of this sermon. His challenge was not about our discipline, our devotion, or our focus. The challenge was to believe that it’s actually this good. Believe that God is this good, or should I say, better than good. Because if God isn’t good enough, than what’s the point? God is more than enough for us and if we can’t see that, then we must make a change. How about the first step in making a change is believing that Barabbas was used as a visual representation of who we are. Broken sinners in need of a perfect Savior. Sounds familiar, huh? That’s because it is familiar. It’s a story Jesus used to show us the love He has for us. How great a King...taking the role of a servant. Thank you, Yeshua.

-Jack Hilsher

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:21-23‬ (‭ESV‬‬)

“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!’”

Link to the full sermon:

https://youtu.be/EWxDViYKoB4