Barabbas: The Sequel!

Here's a very short Bible quiz. Name somebody who is mentioned in all four Gospel books but nowhere else in the Scriptures. Actually, that could be answered with several names. The answer I'm looking for is a man who we know practically nothing about but most Christians have at least a surface knowledge of. He's described as a murderer, a bandit, and a rebel in the Bible AND his name means son of the father. Well, the title gives it away and most of you would answer correctly early on. You're aware that Barabbas was in prison at the time of the trial of Jesus. As was the custom during the Passover, Pontius Pilate would offer the crowd the choice of several prisoners to release. This Passover, Pilate offered Jesus, who he knew to be innocent and Barabbas, who he knew to be guilty. As we know, the crowd chose Barabbas and Jesus was crucified. Nothing is known about Barabbas from that point on although a 1961 film starring Anthony Quinn in the title role makes some guesses. On our final Bible 8 test of the year, I had my middle schoolers write a sequel to the story of Barabbas, taking up where the Biblical account ends, and I gave few parameters. This account is from Erin, one of my favorite students. It is used by permission!

As he trudged along the dirt road, Barabbas thought to himself, "Why this? I was spared from death just to be thrown out and dismissed?" But he continued on his way, passing the beggars and the brothels. After his release in the place of Jesus of Nazareth, Barabbas tried to return to his former life before his capture but no one would even acknowledge him. And so, he moved on like a ghost, wandering down old roads into forgotten towns. Wherever he went, he was watched closely, a distrusting gaze always upon his back. Whenever he went to an inn, all the rooms filled up. Taverns depleted their supply of alcohol. Shops had sold all of their stock. And so he wandered, looking for a town where he was unknown, a place to live out his existence. But he could not find that village where the weary gaze did not follow. He held nothing dear to himself for everything had been taken away when he was locked up. Maybe he can find that community where there is no hostile stare, no whispers trailing in his wake. Somewhere he could find work. Maybe he would simply die on one of the lonely roads and his spirit carried off into the wind. But for now, he just wanders.

Applicable quote of the day:
"As we all know, sequels can be tricky." 
Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com