As a teacher, it is important to provide your students with a comprehensive understanding of various biblical stories. One such story that should be taught is that of Barabbas, known as the criminal who was released instead of Jesus. This story may seem familiar to many students, but it is important to delve deeper and fully understand its significance.
Barabbas, as mentioned in the Bible, was a well-known criminal in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. He was accused of leading an insurrection against the Roman government and was imprisoned for his crimes. However, when Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Jerusalem, who had the power to release a prisoner, he presented the choice to the crowd. They were asked to choose between releasing either Jesus or Barabbas.
To the surprise of many, the crowd chose to release Barabbas, a known criminal, instead of Jesus, a man who was known for his teachings of love and forgiveness. This resulted in Pontius Pilate condemning Jesus to death by crucifixion, an act that is at the heart of the Christian faith.
What makes the story of Barabbas unique is its underlying message. Students should be taught that the choice made by the crowd displayed the human tendency to prefer sin over grace. The story is a testament to the idea that if given the choice, people would rather choose to set free a man who was guilty of terrible crimes than a man who was innocent and pure.
Teaching students about the story of Barabbas is an important part of understanding the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity. It highlights the severity of humanity’s inability to see what was best for them and their preference for sin over righteousness.
As a teacher, it is important to encourage students to appreciate the significance of the story of Barabbas in the larger context of biblical teachings. Through teaching this story, students will be able to understand the value of seeking forgiveness and choosing redemption over sin.
