The Man Who Walked Free#
His name was Barabbas. A convicted murderer. A thief. An insurrectionist rotting in a Roman cell with no hope of survival.
Then something impossible happened.
The crowd was given a choice - release Jesus, or release Barabbas. They chose Barabbas. And this violent criminal walked out of prison into the sunlight while an innocent man took his place on the cross.
Most of us read this story and think: what an injustice.
But what if the point is that you are Barabbas?
A Depraved Reality#
Before you push back - hear this out.
We live in a world that has quietly removed the concept of wrong. Wrong is always what someone else is doing. We grade ourselves on a curve, somewhere between a six and a seven out of ten. Better than some, worse than others.
But God’s scale is not out of ten.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23 (KJV)
Out of ten million, a two and an eight are both practically zero. We all fall chronically short.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” - 1 John 1:8 (KJV)
Unforgiveness. Pride. Gossip. Idolatry. Jesus even said in Matthew 5 that anger carries the same weight as murder, and lust the same weight as adultery. By that standard, none of us can throw a stone.
Saying “I am Barabbas” is not a negative confession. It is a humble acknowledgement of reality - and it is the only starting point for everything that comes next.
A Surreal Testimony#
Here is where it gets staggering.
Barabbas did nothing to deserve his freedom. He did not perform, repent publicly, or earn his release. He simply walked out free because another man took his place.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
This is the divine exchange. Jesus died a death he did not deserve so you could live a life you did not earn.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16 (KJV)
And if your testimony ever starts with anything other than he did it - it is at least partly flawed. Like Barabbas, who contributed nothing to his own rescue, Jesus did it all. He found you. He chose you. He forgave you.
Think of the thief on the cross beside Jesus - a man who had no doctrine, no church attendance, no track record. In his dying breath he received mercy. His only answer for how he ended up at the gates of heaven: the man on the middle cross said I could come.
That is your story too.
Your True Identity#
Now for the twist.
The name Barabbas in Aramaic literally means son of the father. Bar - son. Abba - father.
This condemned man was named “son of my father” - and he was not living out that name. His depravity had buried his true identity.
But the cross gave it back.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” - Romans 6:4 (KJV)
What starts as a reluctant confession ends as a powerful declaration.
You bow your head and say: I am Barabbas. Then you stand up straight, put your shoulders back, and declare: I am the son of my Father. I am the daughter of my Father.
You cannot claim the second without first confessing the first. The cross is the hinge point between the two.
The Invitation#
Good Friday is not just history. It is a mirror.
Look into it and you will see a depraved reality that should make you more merciful toward others, a surreal testimony that should awaken extravagant worship, and a true identity that should anchor everything else in your life.
The man on the middle cross stretched out his hands wide and died - so you would have the chance to lift up your hands and live.
Everyone is God’s creation. But not everyone knows they are God’s child.
That is your choice.
You are Barabbas. And the man on the middle cross says you can come.
Watch the Full Sermon#
This post was inspired by the Good Friday service at Kingdom City. Watch the full sermon below.