As we celebrate Easter, I thought I would talk about a man named Jesus. Most Christians only know the tale of one Jesus. The one we call Messiah. Jesus of Nazareth. At a crucial point in the Redemption Story, another Jesus emerges. One that many Christians have likely never heard of. At least, not by name. But there is a parallel here that I doubt was unintentional. This other Jesus was known as Jesus Barabbas. Or more commonly, just Barabbas.
Jesus Barabbas is mentioned in all four Gospels. There is an interesting point about the name Barabbas. The word "Bar" means "son of." The word "abba" means father. So, literally translated, his name was "Jesus son of the father." That is a pretty stark parallel to those who are paying attention. When Pilate announced that he would release one prisoner, he was literally asking the people if they wanted to release Jesus, Son of God, or Jesus, son of the father. The early church fathers thought a heretic might have slipped the first name of Jesus into the manuscripts and therefore have left the first name out in most translations of the Bible. But there are ancient manuscripts that tend to confirm the name. It is theologically sound to believe that Barabbas was Yeshua, or Jesus Barabbas.
In the accounts recorded by Mark and Luke, Barabbas is described as a member of the insurrection against Rome. Mark writes in 15:7:
A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.
While Luke writes in 23:19:
(Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
So, Jesus Barabbas was a man who sought to set up a new government in Jerusalem through violence. While participating in a riot against the Roman occupation, Barabbas had committed a murder. There are a few thoughts I take away from this. First, Jesus Barabbas wanted to establish a new kingdom on Earth. Second, Jesus Barabbas believed violence was the key to overthrowing the Roman empire.
Jesus of Nazareth, on the other hand, was willing to sacrifice his own blood to provide people everlasting life. A kingdom that is not an earthly one. His revolution was a spiritual one.
Earlier, in the book of John, there is an interesting passage (8:44). In it, Jesus is quoted as saying:
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
This is part of a broader discussion about Jesus' identity and those of his opponents. In verses 42-47 we read:
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
The language here is interesting to me. It is almost as if Christ is prophesying his own trial. He is using the language of trial (can you convict me of sin? why don't you believe in me?). He draws a parallel. He is the Son of God. He contrasts his own father with those who are questioning him claiming "you belong to your father, the devil.."
I think this is an interesting foreshadowing of the events that would shortly unfold. When the people would literally have to choose between Jesus, the Son of God and Jesus, the son of the devil. Both sons of their fathers. One a savior, the other a murderer. One who wanted to establish salvation and eternal life, the other, a kingdom on earth at the cost of murder.
Whatever the case, it is an interesting point to consider on Easter. The idea that Christ would be crucified and a murderer be released was a choice. You can only serve one Master. I believe that is the reason for Yeshua Barabbas. A message in plain view, that is seldom discussed because the first name of this infamous criminal is normally never mentioned by the church.
What are your thoughts?
