Barabbas A life at the mercy of fate

BY CANAAN DECEMBER 10, 2020

Then he(Pilate) released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Bible NIV Matthw 27:26)

In 2004, Catholic actor Mel Gibson created “Passion” as a film director and became a big hit in the United States. It focuses on the 12 hours before Jesus Christ is executed and depicts the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. Mel Gibson seems to be trying to make a sequel.

Barabbas, who had been sentenced to death, was released on behalf of Jesus. The novel “Barabbas” (published in 1950) focuses on that Barabbas and focuses on the fate of Barabbas. It was written by Pär Lagerkvist (1891-1974), a master of contemporary Swedish literature. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1951.

The story is roughly divided into three parts. Barabbas is at the mercy of fate, but the turning point in his life was his deep involvement in the cross of Jesus. The novel describes what happened after that.

The first part is from the release of Jesus on the hill of Calvary until he returns to bandit life. Barabbas hears the story of Jesus’ disciples. He begins to think of Jesus who died on his behalf. It’s just a novel, so it’s an imaginary description of the author that doesn’t appear in the Bible, but it’s very interesting. Then he goes back to his old friends, but he has changed. He realized that he was alive because of a man named Jesus who died instead of him. His friends feel uncomfortable that their bad boss has changed. Barabbas himself feels uncomfortable. He was already beginning to change something with Jesus.

The second part broke up with old friends, until he became friends with slave Sahaku in the dungeon, gasping for living hell as a Roman mining slave. Barabbas didn’t talk about himself at first, but when asked by Sahaku, he reveals what happened to him and his secrets. Then Sahaku also tells Barabbas that he is actually a Christian. After many years, they will be asked by a Roman watchman. Who are you slaves to? Sahaku answers. “I am a slave of God. I am a servant of Jesus.” Roman soldiers admit that they are slaves to Caesar (the emperor) and are told to stop believing in Jesus and abandon him. If you don’t, you will lose your life. However, Sahaku did not abandon his faith in Jesus. He will be crucifixed like Jesus. Once again, Barabbas was on the side of the crucifixed person.

The third part is until Barabbas, who had escaped death until now, was involved in the persecution of Christians and was crucifixed. Christianity was persecuted in Rome. At that time, the Great Fire of Rome broke out, and it was decided that it was the work of Christians, and Barabbas was also captured. Christians still continue to praise the Lord. Everyone did not deny Jesus. Barabbas takes an ambiguous attitude without affirming or denying.

Finally, the identity of Barabbas is revealed. Everyone was very surprised that Barabbas, who had been released on behalf of their Savior, was now in front of them, but Jesus’ apostle advised him to calm down. Christians were crucifixed. Barabbas was also crucifixed as one of them. The author drew the itinerary of the soul of a person named Barabbas, who was at the mercy of fate. Isn’t the theme of faith and hesitation?

It is written in the Bible like this. God has sinned on our behalf the one who does not know sin. That is because we are in this person and become the righteousness of God. (Bible Second Corinthians 5:21)

Speaking of Barabbas, there is a function called “Mission Barabbas”. The former yakuza are now Christians and tell the story of Jesus who rescued them. Based on the true story, it became a movie called “Jesus Is My Boss”.

Barabbas escaped the crucifixion thanks to Jesus, but was eventually crucifixed. Jesus hung on the cross in our place, but I think we are being asked how we will walk from now on. The decision is left to us.

Barabbas A life at the mercy of fate

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