I Am Barabbas [Spoken Word]

As part of the sermon’s conclusion on Jesus and Barabbas, I wanted to summarize the powerful concept of substitution. Early on that Sunday morning, I started writing this as an element to conclude the sermon.

I Am Barabbas

 I am Barabbas

The true son of my father, Adam if you care to bother

I was born into original sin

Steeped in the ways of the devil, all my life I’ve been a rebel

My greatest enemy always lurked from within

I am Barabbas

I’ll do whatever I decide, casting authority aside

No one has the rights to rule over one like me

There’s a price you must pay, if you stand in my way

Challenging my will requires such audacity

I am Barabbas

Guilty due to my sin, rightfully charged and condemned

My punishment is unfortunate yet just

There seems to be no other way, I have no chance to escape

My penalty will return me back to the dust

I am Barabbas

Who is this man next to me, he is not a common thief

What could he have done to deserve this sinner’s cross?

Defend yourself and speak, this is no time to stand by meek

Why does it seem to me that you have accepted this loss?

I am Barabbas

They will set one of us free, there’s no chance that it could be me

But this man refused to make a case of his own

Decision made by the crowd, it’s my shackles that fall down

And the innocent is left there all alone

I am Barabbas

The guilty freed on a whim, hearing echoes of crucify him

It seems unfair that the sinless took my place

Yet completely at peace, he came securing my release

There’s no explanation but only by his grace

[Watch or listen to sermon here.]