Article February 6, 1954 Issue

CHRIST OR BARABBAS

ALBERT CLINTON MOON

When Jesus, accused of being a malefactor, stood before Pilate, this Roman governor, in conformity with an ancient custom that permitted at the feast of the Passover the release of one who was accused of a crime, asked the Jews whether they would have Jesus released. The Jews replied by crying (John 18:40), "Not this man, but Barabbas." Yet we are told that "Barabbas was a robber."

The Jews, like Barabbas, believed in the reality of evil. Hence their opposition to Jesus was in reality their opposition to the Christ he manifested. The consciousness of divinity was disturbing to their evil senses. The Christ, which Mary Baker Eddy defines in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583) as "the divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error," speaks constantly to human consciousness, bringing to it that which heals the sick and sinful, besides enriching, beautifying, and ennobling thought.

As the Christ, the message of God's goodness and power, is accepted by the individual, he finds Christ rather than erroneous belief governing him. It is thus that he progressively demonstrates the prophetic utterance of Isaiah concerning the coming of the true idea to mankind (Isa. 9:6): "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder."

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