Barabbas and the Cyrene

My daily reading in Luke (and N.T. Wright's 'Luke for Everyone' commentary) was quite compelling the other day (quite a few days ago now; I need to just post this). In Luke 23:13-26 they bring Jesus before Pilate, he tries to set him free but the people demand Barabbas be set free instead; then, when they're leading Jesus to his dying hill, they recruit Simon the Cyrene to carry his cross.

I've always thought this section was about Pilate - washing his hands of anything to do with Jesus. Whether he liked him or not, it wasn't going to be on his head if Jesus lived or died. Or, you know, the fact that we all must face Jesus and decide if we will wash our hands of him, or stick up for him. Stuff like that.

Anyway, Wright suggested this section - at least Luke's take on it - is much more about Barabbas and the Cyrene bystander. I don't know if I'd ever thought about it like that.

SMALL PARTS INSTEAD OF MAIN CHARACTERS

He says...

"All sinners, all rebels, all the human race are invited to see themselves in the figure of Barabbas; and, as we do so, we discover in this story that Jesus comes to take our place, under condemnation for sins and wickedness great and small. In the strange justice of God, which overrules the unjust 'justice' of Rome and every human system, God's mercy reaches out where human mercy could not, not only sharing, but in this case substituting for, the sinner's fate."

"It is because of this that the call goes out, once we realize what Jesus is doing, for each of us to take up our own cross and follow him."

...

"Simon becomes the model for all those who, in devotion, holiness and service, tread behind Jesus on the road of humility, pain and even death."

"...as we reflect on the role of the small parts within Luke's large drama, we should remind ourselves that our own parts, small though they may seem, may also contribute substantially to the work of the gospel as it goes forward."

I don't know that major characters have no role in God's kingdom breaking out, but it seems there are way more "small" characters involved in it in the Bible. Barabbas, even though he deserved to die (at least in the mind of Pilate), is set free by Jesus. Simon, just happening past on his way from Africa (perhaps he thought of it as being in the wrong place at the wrong time), ends up serving a pretty big role in the eternal scope of things.

In my better moments I think of this on the small scale of me going to work each day; having little visits with my grandchildren from time to time; interactions with strangers on the street or in the grocery aisle... Are these Kingdom interactions? Yes, I think they are. Or should be.

Was Barabbas ever aware of what happened to Jesus and who he really was? We don't know. How about Simon? Did he go home and tell all his friends about carrying the cross for the Savior of the world, or complain about some yocal who couldn't even carry his own? Or, was this just another day for these smallish people, and no thought was given? Like, when you say 'hi' to someone, or flip off the car in front of you?

I don't know... I was simply struck on this day how much more we are like 'Barabbas who has been set free' and 'Simon who is called into service' than we are someone in the position of Pilate. Or maybe that's just me...

***

Luke 23:13-26

"So Pilate called the chief priests, the rulers and the people.

'You brought this man before me,' he said to them, 'on the grounds that he was leading the people astray. Look here, then: I examined him in your presence and I found no evidence in him of the charges you're bringing against him. Nor did Herod; he sent him back to me. Look: there is no sign that he's done anything to deserve death. So I'm going to flog him and let him go.'

'Take him away!' they shouted out all together. 'Release Barabbas for us!' (Barabbas had been thrown into prison because of an uprising that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate spoke to them again, with the intention of letting Jesus go, but they shouted back, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!'

'Why?' he said for the third time. 'What's he done wrong? I can't find anything he's done that deserves death, so I'm going to beat him and let him go.'

But they went on shouting out at the tops of their voices, demanding that he be crucified; and eventually their shouts won the day. Pilate gave his verdict that their request should be granted. He released the man who'd been thrown into prison because of rebellion and murder, and gave Jesus over to their demands.

As they led him away, they grabbed a man from Cyrene called Simon, who was coming to the city from outside, and they forced him to carry the crossbeam behind Jesus."