29th March 2026

We come to one of the most dramatic and sobering moments in scripture. A governor stands before a crowd. A criminal and the Son of God wait in chains, and a question echoes through history: ‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’ (Matthew 27:21). Each year, due to a Passover custom, the governor released one prisoner chosen by the people (v.15). The governor at the time, Pontius Pilate, understood that Jesus was innocent and that it was out of envy and self-interest that Jesus had been handed over (v.18). Matthew calls Barabbas a ‘notorious prisoner’ (v.16 ESV), and Luke tells us he was involved in rebellion and murder (Luke 23:19 NIVUK). Barabbas was violent, guilty, condemned, awaiting execution, Jesus was innocent awaiting his fate. There were three significant responses to this scenario:

Jesus stayed silent (Matthew 27:12-14) – Jesus did not defend himself. He did not argue his case. He did not call down legions of angels, because he was not there for his own defence but for our redemption.
The voice of the crowd – their message was simple: ‘Crucify [Jesus]!’ (vv.22-23).
The weakness of Pilate – he washed his hands of the responsibility, claiming to be innocent of Jesus’s blood (v.24).

Then came one of the most powerfully poignant incidents in all history, ‘…[Pilate] released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified’ (v.26). The great exchange took place. The name Barabbas means ‘son of the father’ and the Son of God took his place. Barabbas was released, Jesus was flogged, and Barabbas walked free. Jesus carried the cross: the cross meant for Barabbas became Christ’s cross. That is the Gospel in one scene. The uncomfortable truth is that Barabbas is a picture of each one of us. We may not have committed his crimes, but spiritually we have rebelled against God, we have sinned, and we stand guilty and condemned facing death (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Yet Jesus took our place. He is condemned and now there is no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1). He died and we walk free.  

Scripture does not tell us what became of Barabbas – how did he respond? Did he disappear into the crowd? Did he look at Jesus on his cross? Did he come to faith? We don’t know. But we do know he was given a second chance he did not earn, and so are we. How are we going to respond? Pilate asked, ‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ (Matthew 27:22) and that question still confronts every person: what will you do with Jesus? 

The response of the crowd was to reject Jesus. The response of Pilate was indecision: he washed his hands and kept his distance. However, the gospel calls us to look to Jesus, recognising that he stood where we stood, and his cross is our cross. Therefore, our response is to turn to him in repentance, faith, gratitude, and surrender. You and I cannot remain neutral; there is no middle ground.

Barabbas walked free that day because Jesus took his place – that same freedom is ours in Christ.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead 
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA

Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm

Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:  
wordoflife@gracecom.church