Barabbas Am I

Today, as I type this, is Good Friday. I call myself a follower of Jesus. And today, I reflect on the day He was hung up on a cross for all the wrongdoings of my own life and the sin and iniquity of the world.

Maybe you read that first paragraph and already tuned out. Why is Johnny Metal talking about Jesus Christ? Or, maybe you’re interested in knowing who I am as a person. Then let me share a story with you.

The year was 1999. At this point in my life, I wasn’t doing much songwriting and if I did, I wanted to make sure it meant something. I had been introduced to a band called Third Day but my dear friend Stacy. Stacy took my newfound faith and introduced me to other bands and worship style music. She is a big Third Day fan so in our time of getting to hang out, I learned more of who Third Day was. One song they did that really struck me was a song on their debut album called Thief. It’s a very poignant song coming from the perspective of one of the thieves that hung on each side of Jesus the day He was crucified. The song inspired me to write a crucifixion perspective song but one from a person you don’t always think about. Barabbas.

Barabbas was a hardened criminal. Probably for murder, insurrection. But the crowd asked for him to be released instead of Jesus. Very little is known about Barabbas the man. There is a movie with Anthony Quinn that you can find on DVD or VHS called Barabbas. It’s been ages since I saw the movie and quite honestly, I don’t remember much about it, and I don’t think I have a copy of it any longer.

On this Good Friday, I will share this song about Barabbas. Originally titled “Father’s Hand”, I have since renamed Son of Father. Lyrics written on April 6, 1999.

Son Of Father (Father’s Hand)

My Father’s out there

Where I do not know

Abandoned me

He’s become a foe

Led by no one’s hand

I was trouble from the start

What Rome is doing to us

Hate has filled my heart

Never knowing what love was

I turned to life of crime

The helpless body at my feet

I knew there wasn’t much time

Roman soldiers come and beat me

Found guilty of what I’d done

Crucifixion was my price to pay

I count each day one by one

Passover day is coming soon

That means nothing to me

My time is coming closer

Not many more days I’ll see

An angry crowd outside

Yelling “crucify Him”

Fearing for my life

I will pass along with the wind

But then I hear this Jesus name

Along with my own

Crucify Him Crucify

Insanity in me has grown

I can’t stand what’s happening

I wish the crowd be gone

I see the guards coming towards me

Will someone please tell me, WHAT’S GOING ON?

I’m free to go?

What’s that supposed to mean?

You wanted to see me dead!

And my crime’s been wiped off clean?

They chose this Jesus over me

To die in my place

What did He do and was He so bad

I wish I could see His face

The sky turns dark

The ground shakes

I believe I see the truth

Sacrificed from death

I’ve been shown love

I never saw that in my youth

Jesus did not do wrong

I should’ve been on that cross

I’ll live my life for Him

And see that his death won’t be a loss