Lent Day 36 [03.31.2026] The Testimony of Barabbas

Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my Kingdom is from another place." - John 18:36

Scripture: John 18:28-40

I, Barabbas, am a convicted murderer and thief, a member of a failed insurrection against Rome. Yet, I write this reflection as a freeman still trying to make sense of that day I stood next to a man named Jesus. I can still hear it. The roar of the crowd. It wasn’t the usual kind—the kind I knew from the riots I had led in the streets. Soldiers suddenly dragged me out and stood me before the crowds, chains biting into my wrists, and sounds of anger and laughter filled the air. Then I saw Him for the first time. I didn’t know His face personally, but I knew the name. Jesus. The one people whispered about. The one they said healed the sick… even raised the dead. I had expected someone fierce, someone dangerous enough to stir Rome’s anger. But He didn’t look like me. No desperation, no anger, no panic. Just… calm. Almost like He didn’t belong there at all. Pilate stepped forward and raised his voice above the chaos. “Which one do you want me to release to you?” For a moment, everything slowed. My heart pounded. This was it. A cruel display. They would choose Him. Of course they would. A teacher. A miracle worker. Someone worth saving. And me? I knew what I was. A murderer. A rebel. A man who had earned death row but then a miracle happened… I heard the crowd scream, “Barabbas!” Surely my ears had deceived me, but again and again I heard my name roaring across the multitudes. I felt an unbelievable sense of joy. The crowds were choosing me! The chains fell from my wrists, and suddenly the air felt different—lighter, alive. I was free. Free! I wanted to laugh, to run, to disappear into the crowd before anyone could change their mind. Voices cheered. Hands pulled at me. Some looked at me like I had done something great, something worthy. Was I a hero? Then I heard Pilate ask another question, “What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” I thought, it was no matter to me until I heard the crowd scream even louder, “Crucify Him!” Curiosity overtook me for surely I deserved death, but rather than me, they demanded Jesus’ crucifixion. I began to wonder deeply in my heart, what did this man do? What crime had He committed and how accursed must it have been that not a single person questioned the sentence, not even Jesus Himself? I looked at this man Jesus from afar and I will never forget the moment His eyes met mine. I saw a fire in His eyes, but it was not of revenge. It felt like He knew me and in that moment I knew that I didn’t deserve this freedom. I am writing this without shackles, but I am imprisoned by the haunting reality that an innocent man took my place. My freedom was never from the love of the people, rather from the silence of my Savior.

Reflection:

1.     How does the story of Barabbas reveal the depth of God’s love for us?

2.     Take a moment to day to meditate on the cost of our freedom.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the powerful story of Barabbas. Lord, I am Barabbas. Side by side with your one and only Son Jesus Christ who is perfect and spotless, You chose me. How can I begin to comprehend that kind of grace? I am kept awake by the depth of your love for me. Thank you for the cross. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 바라바의 증언

본문: 요한복음 18:28-40

나는 바라바다. 살인자이자 도둑이며, 로마에 대항한 실패한 반란의 일원이었다. 그러나 나는 지금 자유인의 신분으로, 그날 내가 예수라는 한 사람과 나란히 서 있었던 그 순간을 여전히 이해하려 애쓰며 이 글을 쓴다.

나는 아직도 그 소리를 들을 수 있다. 군중의 함성. 내가 거리에서 일으켰던 폭동의 소리와는 달랐다. 군사들이 갑자기 나를 끌어내어 사람들 앞에 세웠고, 내 손목을 조이는 쇠사슬과 함께 분노와 조롱의 소리가 공기를 채웠다.

그때 나는 그를 처음 보았다. 그의 얼굴을 개인적으로 알지는 못했지만, 그 이름은 알고 있었다. 예수. 사람들이 속삭이던 이름. 병자를 고치고… 심지어 죽은 자를 살렸다고 하던 그 사람.

나는 로마의 분노를 일으킬 만큼 위험한 사람, 강하고 사나운 사람을 기대했다. 그러나 그는 나와 달랐다. 절박함도, 분노도, 두려움도 없었다. 그저… 평온했다. 마치 그 자리에 속하지 않은 사람처럼.

빌라도가 앞으로 나와 군중의 소리를 제압하며 외쳤다.“너희는 내가 누구를 놓아주기를 원하느냐?”

그 순간, 모든 것이 느려진 것 같았다. 심장이 쿵쾅거렸다. 이것이 끝이었다. 잔인한 장면이었다. 당연히 그들이 그를 선택할 것이다. 선생. 기적을 행하는 자. 살릴 가치가 있는 사람.

그리고 나는? 나는 내가 누구인지 알고 있었다. 살인자. 반란자. 죽어 마땅한 자.

그런데 기적이 일어났다.

나는 들었다. 군중이 외치는 소리를.“바라바!”

내 귀를 의심했다. 그러나 다시, 또 다시 내 이름이 군중 속에서 울려 퍼졌다. 믿을 수 없는 기쁨이 밀려왔다. 사람들이 나를 선택했다!

쇠사슬이 내 손목에서 떨어졌다. 공기가 달라졌다—가볍고, 살아있는 것처럼. 나는 자유였다. 자유!

나는 웃고 싶었고, 달아나고 싶었고, 누가 마음을 바꾸기 전에 군중 속으로 사라지고 싶었다. 사람들은 환호했고, 나를 붙잡았다. 어떤 이들은 마치 내가 위대한 일을 한 것처럼, 영웅처럼 나를 바라보았다.

내가… 영웅인가?

그때 빌라도가 다시 물었다.“그러면 그리스도라 하는 예수를 내가 어떻게 하랴?”

나는 그것이 나와 상관없는 일이라 생각했다. 그런데 군중이 더 크게 외쳤다.“그를 십자가에 못 박으시오!”

그 순간, 나는 궁금해졌다. 분명히 죽어야 할 사람은 나였다. 그런데 그들은 예수를 죽이라고 외쳤다.

나는 마음 깊이 질문하기 시작했다.이 사람은 도대체 무엇을 했는가?어떤 죄를 지었기에 아무도 그 판결에 의문을 제기하지 않는가?심지어 그 자신조차도?

나는 멀리서 예수를 바라보았다. 그리고 그의 눈과 마주쳤던 그 순간을 나는 결코 잊을 수 없다.

그의 눈 속에 불이 있었다. 그러나 그것은 복수의 불이 아니었다.마치 나를 아는 것 같았다. 그리고 그 순간 나는 깨달았다.나는 이 자유를 받을 자격이 없다는 것을.

나는 지금 쇠사슬 없이 이 글을 쓰고 있지만, 한 가지 사실에 사로잡혀 있다.죄 없는 사람이 나를 대신했다는 사실.

나의 자유는 사람들의 사랑 때문이 아니라,나의 구주께서 아무 말도 하지 않으셨기 때문이다.

묵상 질문:

1. 바라바의 이야기는 우리를 향한 하나님의 사랑의 깊이를 어떻게 보여주는가?

2. 오늘 하루, 우리의 자유가 치러진 대가를 묵상해 보십시오.

   
   

기도:

하나님 아버지, 바라바의 이야기를 통해 깊은 은혜를 깨닫게 하심에 감사합니다. 주님, 제가 바로 바라바입니다. 완전하고 흠 없는 하나님의 아들 예수 그리스도와 나란히 서 있었을 때, 주님은 저를 선택하셨습니다. 이 은혜를 어떻게 이해할 수 있겠습니까? 주님의 사랑의 깊이에 잠을 이루지 못할 만큼 감격합니다. 십자가에 감사드립니다. 예수님의 이름으로 기도드립니다. 아멘.