BLESSED with BIPOLAR

by Richard Jarzynka

Pontius Pilate searched desperately for a way not to crucify Jesus. He might not yet have believed that the Man was the Son of God, but he was damned-sure that he had no reason to nail Christ to a cross.

I think Pilate liked Jesus. And his own wife had told him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man.” That put the Governor in a tight spot. The angry mob was screaming for crucifixion and warning Pilate that if he didn’t get the job done, he would be no friend of Caesar. That’s some dilemma. Your wife and the Son of God on one shoulder and a riotous crowd and the emperor of the known-world on the other.

It was not a good Friday for old Pontius.

So, he decided to haggle. He offered Jesus’ accusers a deal. He would release to them the Jewish death row inmate of their choice. Jesus, who had committed the “crime” of claiming to be the Messiah sent from God, or Barabbas, an insurrectionist and murderer. Unfortunately for Pilate, the deal did not go down as planned. The roused rabble chose Barabbas . . . And I am him.

I could also be Peter, Pilate, or Judas. I have certainly denied, failed, misjudged, and betrayed Jesus more often than I would like to have to admit. But Barabbas is who I really need to be on Good Friday.

Barabbas was every bit the sinner that Peter, Pilate, and Judas were. And that alone makes all four of them a good fit for me. In fact, all five of us belong on that cross. But there is something extra special about Barabbas.

Scripture doesn’t tell us whether Barabbas ever eventually embraced Christ as his Lord and Savior, but, even if he did not, Barabbas is still the right metaphor for me. He fully accepted, jumped at, and surrendered to what Jesus did for him – without any hesitation.

Barabbas did not sigh, “Jesus, Jesus, man, you’re a great guy and all. I mean, I like a bunch of what you have to say – don’t understand a whole lot, but I like it. Might even wanna to somehow be like you. But, c’mon . . . I mean, man, I gotta do this for myself!” No. Barabbas did not say that. (and not just because English had not yet been invented) Barabbas sprinted out of that Roman prison, screaming and cackling like a madman for joy at the news that Jesus was taking the crucifixion that he, Barabbas deserved.

Jesus took Barabbas’ well-earned and fully-justified place on that Cross. And the sinless Son of God did precisely the same thing for me. Paid the penalty that I have richly earned, so that a wretch like me can have eternal life with my Lord in His Father’s eternal paradise – where I will continue to scream and cackle like a madman for joy, praising God forever. And searching heaven for Pilate and my boy, Barabbas, while I’m at it.

Richard Jarzynka is the author of  BLESSED WITH BIOLAR. You can mess with his mind on Facebook.