Lenten Journey: Jesus and Barabbas

Now at that feast the governor was accustomed to release to the people a prisoner, as they chose. And they had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas. So when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, Whom do you choose that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? (Matthew 27:15-17) 

That's an interesting benefit or crowd-pleaser for the government to offer: a pardon for a criminal. The tradition of pardons extends even to this day. Is it a recognition that "justice", left to politicians or mobs, often goes wrong? Is it a recognition that laws can be rigid and life can be complicated? Is it a recognition that sometimes a clean slate, and reconciliation, is the best justice?

In this case, with Jesus and Barabbas, it's easy to imagine Barabbas pointing the finger at Jesus as the truly dangerous one. When faced with an always-broken justice system, even someone who isn't a criminal could experience the fear of blame, the fear of shame. Someone without a clean conscience might be even more eager to point a finger at the other guy. 

And it's easy to imagine our Lord wondering, "Is this the answer to the prayer in Gethsemane, that the cup should pass from me?" Would it have taken any more than the apostles calling loudly for Jesus to be the one freed? But if Jesus were freed, would Barabbas have died? If Jesus escaped then and there, the rest of us would have been left without that pardon.

And so today I join the long tradition of people who are grateful that God allows Barabbas to go free. That God recognizes that sometimes a clean slate, and reconciliation, is the best justice. May I remember it when I interact with others, and set aside any yearning to keep score, to balance my books at their expense.