Jesus Or Barabbas

* His eyes were closed and the clotted blood in the lashes had turned dark purple in color.

* The beaten, bloody, bruised, and battered corpse dangled limp and lifeless.

* A soldier thrusts a spear into His side and pierced the membrane around the heart, and blood

and water flowed like a fountain from that side … He was dead!

(4) BARABBAS! * I have often wondered how Barabbas must’ve felt that day!

* Did you ever think what may have happened to Barabbas? * Remember who he was?

* He was the condemned criminal whom they released on the day Jesus was crucified!

* He was a notable prisoner, meaning his reputation of murder and robbery was widespread!

A) The night before that fatal day, Barabbas was held in prison!

* He probably spent that miserable night in the death cell of a dark, damp, rat infested dungeon!

* Look at him as he shivers in the cold, clammy cell, and pulls his wet, ragged garments together

about his naked shoulders!

* Dragging his shivering body through the mud in the darkness, he collapses in a heap in the

corner against the cold, wet walls! * This was his last night on earth!

B) What does a man think about the night before he is to be executed?

* I don’t know, but it must be a nightmare! * Barabbas began to relive the past!

* He saw himself as a child, playing around the knees of a faithful Jewish mother.

* As he grew, he saw himself drifting away from her teaching into a life of rebellion!

* Maybe he got into the wrong company! * He began to steal, little things at first!

C) Then one night as he ransacked a dwelling, the man in the house by the window began to

stir, Barabbas stood over the sleeping body until he saw the white of the man’s eyes!

* The man was waking! * Quickly, he pulls a dagger from his belt and plunged it into the chest

of the waking man! * Barabbas listened to the dying groans and hurried into the night!

* He had murdered his first victim … It would be easier from then on!

* He could remember how he had hidden in the rocks along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho

and rob and kill innocent travelers!

D) He could still feel the straining throat in his hands as he choked to death a traveler!

* Straddling the dead body he would remove the money and valuables!

* He had thrust that blade into many a man, but now, he has killed his last man!

* He had stolen his last dollar, for the hand of the Roman law had reached out and plucked him

from among men and cast him into prison, found him guilty of murder and sentenced him to die!

* Tomorrow, he would pay for his crimes with his life by crucifixion!

E) Before Barabbas realized it, the night had fled … It was the hour of his death!

* His ears picked up the sound of footsteps … He heard the key click in the lock!

* The door swung open with a terrifying squeak … The blood ran cold in his veins!

* Fear forced beads of cold sweat to his face as he clenched his tattered rags and buried his

trembling knees in the mud.

* A heavy hand fell on his shoulder, but that’s as far as the nightmare went!

F) The voice of the warden broke the silence, “Barabbas, I’ve been ordered to set you free