I AM BARABBAS

(Guest Post by: Colton – Blogmas Day Twenty-One 2023)

My name is Colton, and I have been asked to write a blog post this year for Blogmas! I wanted to first begin by sharing my story with you.

On January 21st, 2023, I accepted Jesus as my Lord, my Savior, and my Friend. My addiction to pornography consumed my everyday life. It effected the way I thought, the way I treated my family, and how I viewed God. I have been delivered from my addiction in a radical way. I started meeting with and being discipled by Scott Hobbs the Monday after being saved.

We just did life together and he showed me how this Jesus thing is supposed to look.

Fast forward to July 12th, 2023. As a result of my addiction, I had sent an image from the internet that I shouldn’t have sent. I was convicted and charged with a felony. I have been labeled as a sex offender and a felon… I know that is a lot to read, but I am here to tell you that’s not at all who I am anymore.

I have been saved. I have been delivered. Jesus has changed my life in ways I truly can’t explain.

There is a song by Josiah Queen called “I am Barabbas”. I strongly encourage you to listen to the song. This song spoke to me quite a bit, especially with all I’ve been through this year.

It is from the perspective of Barabbas, the prisoner the Jews chose to free, which was part of the annual Passover custom. It paints a mental picture of Barabbas being so confused about why a preacher would come to free him and take his place on the cross. This Jesus guy did something so crazy by choosing to die Himself instead of allowing Barabbas, a known murderer, to receive his just punishment.

They said that this preacher man
Comes from Galilee
There’s something so absurd that he deserved to serve my penalty

How can it be?

I know I’ve done my wrong
‘Cause doing wrong is something I do well
I know the court of law and something like this doesn’t ring a bell

How can it be?
And how can it be?

I am Barabbas
You took upon my cross
I was a prisoner
Till you bought my bond with blood

And I can’t run away
From what my accusers say
‘Cause I am Barabbas
I am Barabbas, your friend

When I heard this song my first thought was “That’s me; I am Barabbas!” I literally was (almost) a prisoner and because of what Jesus did on the cross, I am a free man. But then, after listening to the song on repeat, I realized, we are all Barabbas. We are all sinners.

Maybe you weren’t a legit prisoner or almost a prisoner, but we are ALL prisoners of sin. Sin consumes our everyday lives. We all know we’ve done our wrongs; because doing wrong is something we ALL do very well.

He continues the song by saying:
They made me sit right there
As I watched them beat that preacher man
39 of all them lashes should’ve been on my own skin

How can it be?
How can it be? Oh

l am Barabbas
You took upon my cross
I was a prisoner
Till you bought my bond with blood

And I can’t run away
From what my accusers say
‘Cause I am Barabbas
I am Barabbas, your friend

When I hear those words, I can’t help but cringe. Jesus willingly took MY punishment from ME. All 39 of the lashings. Every nail, every thorn, every sin. He did the same for you!

Jesus paid the price for you and freed you from an eternity in Hell. Whatever it is that is holding you back from realizing what He’s done for you. Confess it to the Lord your God. Collapse at the feet of Jesus and give your life fully to Him!

“Of necessity, God’s love for man – His grace extended must draw man to crisis moments. Such a crisis moment is the experience of initial sanctification. We call it the new birth.” – Stephen Manley (Journey into Wholeness)

Today actually marks my 11-month anniversary of being saved. I’m so thankful for the cross. Thankful for every lashing. This Christmas, let’s try and remember the reason for this month. He was born to save us completely from an eternity in Hell.

Merry Christmas!