During Holy Week I was privileged to participate in my church’s “Journey To The Cross”. There were many rooms that the visitors strolled through as they experienced Jesus’s path from the upper room to His resurrection.

On the last night I volunteered, I was in the room displaying the trial at Pilate’s palace. Between groups I took the time to stare at the enormous scene displayed on the wall. Near the stripped-down Jesus was another bare-chested man. I had to wonder… was this Barabbas?

The more I stared the more I asked myself, “Did Barabbas ever get over his anger that caused him to start or join an insurrection against the Roman government and to commit murder? Did he watch as Jesus was beaten because of trumped-up charges? Did he understand that Jesus was going to die on the cross that was meant for him?”

In the hours that Jesus hung on the cross bleeding out, receiving curses and insults that should have gone to Barabbas, did he realize that Jesus was dying for him?

In my sanctified imagination, I can so picture Jesus looking up to the back of the crowd of onlookers. Catching Barabbas’s attention by looking him straight in the eye. Unspoken words exchanged, Barabbas’s folded arms fall to his side. And, with Jesus’s last words, “It is finished!” (John 19:30), Barabbas falls to his knees, head hung down. For the first time in his life a stranger gave his life for him – an angry man who desired Rome’s destruction.

Barabbas tried in his own way to save his people by taking part in a physical rebellion against Rome. In the end he failed to save them from the bondage they suffered. Jesus, on the other hand, saved His people from eternal separation by dying in their place on that cross meant for Barabbas.

Interesting side note here: Barabbas had a first name – he was called Jesus Barabbas. (Matthew 27:16 TLV, TPT, MSG) Barabbas means son of the father. Jesus the Christ was The Son of The Heavenly Father.

How intriguing that they had such similar names but brought different results. One brought death. The other brought eternal life. I’m forever thankful that Jesus took Barabbas’s place. I hope that Barabbas did receive a changed heart and will be there in heaven.