The name Barabbas means
"Son of the father"
Make the name gender neutral and it means
"Child of the father"
Ok, so lets go back to Jerusalem, way back. The people had a choice. They could save Jesus from a fate of crucifixion or Barabbas. We know how the story goes. The people asked for Barabbas, the sinner to be saved and wanted Jesus' blood. The text says that Barabbas is a criminal, but lets call him what he is, just like the rest of us, a sinner. Now I have to admit that the Bible doesn't always keep my interest like some of my other favorite books, but there are some stories that just stick with me and this is one of them.
Within those black and red letters there is such beautiful and painful poetry.
The people ask for Barabbas or "Child of the father". They are asking for themselves without even knowing it. They are asking that the "Children of God" be saved and not meet the fate of death. When they are asked who they want in replace of Barabbas they say, "Jesus". They can't save themselves from death. Only through the blood of Jesus, their Messiah can they be saved. In that scene Jesus is not surprised that the Children need him. For that is why He is there.
Beautiful. Painful. Poetry.
Happy Easter
