Through the Eyes of Barabbas (Part 2)

The young soldier hesitated. Peering side to side, before leaning forward to speak so only the prisoner’s ears could hear and without drawing attention to them. “That is Jesus of Nazareth; he is some religious crazy man. They said he would teach on the hillside, sometimes talking in riddles and stories. They also said he was some type of miracle worker. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He also did miracles with food, multiplying small amount of bread and fish to feed many people and turning water to wine. He could calm the raging sea and even cast devils out of men.”

“Is it true? Did he do these things?” Barabbas asked.

“Who knows, I don’t care what these Jewish dogs do anyways. The Romans have already conquered them; I don’t know why we don’t just stomp the people out instead of put up with them.” The soldier said with an air of carelessness.

“What has he done wrong?” Barabbas said confused.

“I don’t know. Jealous, I guess. He has many followers, but maybe they fear what he had to say. The priest seems to be behind all this. Pilate doesn’t see any wrong in Jesus.”

“So if he done no crime, why is he here? What are they trying to do to this innocent man, this makes no sense. Has this place gone crazy, while I have been cut off from it?” Barabbas was angry, but wasn’t sure why.

“The people are trying to condemn him to death of crucifixion.”

“The people have gone mad, condemning innocent people to death.” Barabbas paused turning to the soldier ever so slightly and pleaded, “But I needed to know one more thing, please tell me why am I here?”

“I really don’t know but you’re about to find out.” The soldiers were signaled to come forward with the prisoners. They grabbed Barabbas and yanked him towards to where Pilate stood over looking a crowd of very angry men.

“But I find no fault in this man at all.” Pilate said to the crowd in frustration. He turned to soldiers and signaled for them to bring the prisoners on either side of him. Barabbas had changed much since the people had seen him, the once strong burly man, was now weaken by starvation, his dirty from lack of care, and his hair had grown long and wild. Yet, a murmur filtered through the crowd, as the people recognized, the murderer and robber, the Notorious Barabbas.

Pilate gave the silent signal before beginning to speak in a more calm voice, “Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.” Pilate continued on. “I have before you a notorious prisoner called Barabbas, a robber, a murder.” He paused, before going on. “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

Barabbas stood staring at Pilate, he saw that Pilate was a coward. Barabbas knew that he would now be condemned to death. He deserved, he did not ask for mercy, he would not be angry. The man on the other side was innocent and he knew now that in his heart that he was, Pilate saw it too. Barabbas was the guilty one, he was a robber, and he had taken the lives of innocent people. What had this man, Jesus done? He was nothing but a teacher, a healer, a prophet, or maybe something more. Barabbas stood staring at the floor in front of him. He knew these were the final moments of his life.

Pilate’s wife entered, and pleaded with Pilate, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” Pilate ignored his wife and went again and asked the people again his question.

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”, Pilate asked. Time stood still for Barabbas; he clenched his jaw and a waited the crowds answer.

“BARABBAS! Give us Barabbas!” the crowd shouted. Barabbas head shot up, they wanted to release him? How could this be? Barabbas was confused, had he heard the question wrong? Barabbas looked to those around him. Pilate felt dejected, the soldiers look surprised, and Jesus, well he could no explain the look on Jesus’ face at that moment. Barabbas would remember that face for the rest of his life.

Pilate turned to the crowd and asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

“Let Him be crucified!” The crowd shouted in response. “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Barabbas knew this was what he deserved not the other man. He deserved to die, and Jesus released. Yet, the tables were being turned.

“Why, what evil has He done?” Pilate pleaded.

But the they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just man. You see to it.”

The crowd shouted back, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Pilate with his head down, said to the soldiers. “Release him.” The soldiers did not move, confused at what he meant. Pilate turned shouting, “I said release him, release Barabbas just as they said.” Pilate turned to soldiers that stood around Jesus, and said with a much quieter voice. “And do with him just as they said,” before storming out of the room.