Mark 15:15 “Pilate set Barabbas free
and turned Jesus over for whipping and crucifixion.”
This past Sunday night the National
Geographic Channel played Killing
Jesus, and it was the highest rated show in their
network’s history. It is such
a compelling, life-changing, life-giving story, and I am happy that over three
million people saw it. This
particular production was of the highest quality, and those crucifixion scenes
were particularly realistic. It
was hard to watch the thorn of crowns being placed on Christ’s head and watch
Him carry His own cross. And
it always reminds me of Barabbas.
In Bible days it was a custom during
the time of Passover to release a prisoner. Seems kind of dangerous, but
nonetheless, when it was time to pick the lucky fellow who would be
absolved, Pontius Pilate, the Roman
governor of Jerusalem who had all the decision-making authority, skipped
right over the innocent Jesus and set Barabbas – a convicted murderer – free.
Jesus never did one thing wrong, but
Barabbas? He should have paid for his crimes. He deserved it, right?
And then I was reminded of a little
conversation that God and I had last year.
“Yenisita, You are like Barabbas.”
“Say what? I have never killed anybody.”
“No, my precious girl, you haven’t. There’s a bunch of stuff you haven’t
done and never will. But are you
perfect? You still need
forgiveness, don’t you? You still
need Jesus, don’t you?”
“Yes I do – a lot – every second of
every day I need Him.”
“Jesus took Barabbas’ place and yours. You are free.”
“Thank You, my Lord, I love You.”
“And I love you, Yenisita.”
When we do something wrong there’s a
price to pay. But we don’t have
to pay for our sins; Jesus did that already. All
we have to do is accept His gift of forgiveness. As we gather this weekend with
family and friends to celebrate what my mom used to call, “Resurrection
Sunday,” let us count our blessings and remember that Jesus took Barabbas’
place and ours!
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