You Are Like Barabbas~

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!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for the forgiveness we have in Jesus.  We have been set free to love this life and live it to the full. We have been set free to love others and help them understand their freedom as well. Most importantly, we have been given eternal life. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Just Like Barabbas~

A post-Easter greeting to all ~

Yesterday was such a beautiful day, and I am not talking about the weather! It was beautiful because we celebrated the resurrection of Christ, and it was a time of getting together, counting blessings, and remembering His sacrifice.

Mark 15:15 “Pilate set Barabbas free and turned Jesus over for whipping and crucifixion.”

By the time we get to this verse, Jesus has already been arrested. We also learn that it was a custom during the Passover season to release any prisoner for any reason. Weird tradition, but nonetheless, instead of releasing our innocent Christ, Barabbas – a murderer –was set free.

Anyone who has seen a passion play or movie can hardly stand to witness the whipping and crucifixion of Christ. Yesterday in church they put on a play where an actor was literally put on a cross, and it was tough. But what really got to me was when Joseph of Arimathea tenderly took Jesus’ body off the cross to provide a proper burial. My whole family and I were seated a few rows back of this simple presentation, but it was impactful. I could scarcely breathe, if I am being honest. Jesus should have never been up there to begin with. He didn’t do anything wrong. Barabbas, on the other hand, he should have died. I wouldn’t have felt so bad either. Barabbas was a murderer, so he deserved it, right?

And then God spoke to my heart: “Yenisita, You are like Barabbas.”

“Say what? I ain’t never killed no body.”

“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. All we have to do is live our life with the freedom we have been given.

How do we do that? (Mañana).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for speaking into our hearts. We have been set free to love this life and live it to the full. We have been set free to love others and help them understand their freedom as well. Show us how. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~