Wednesday April 12, 2017
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8
In Jesus’ finals day there’s a person that I think we often overlook. His name is Barabbas.
Barabbas was a bad dude. He was a crook. He was rude, a liar, rebellious, and a murderer. Barabbas was a prisoner.
Pilot gives the crowd the option to set Jesus free (an innocent man), or Barabbas a well known murderer.
The crowd cried out for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be crucified. So, Pilot does just that.
However, it wasn’t the people who set Barabbas free, it was the love of Jesus that did that.
Barabbas leaves unchained, welcomed, and free. He was still a bad dude, but he was a free bad dude.
Jesus wanted him to go free. He loved him.
There is no record of Barabbas turning around and thanking Jesus, or giving his life to Him.
God sent his son for Barabbas, even the one he knew would walk away from Jesus and his free gift and never come back.
God sent his son for Barabbas knowing that the things that he was imprisoned for what would probably end him back in prison again.
Barabbas is all of us.
God’s love is scandalous. It doesn’t always make sense, but it always sets the captives free.
Christ died for Barabbas. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving Barabbas. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for setting us free, and taking our place. In your name I pray, Amen.
-Whitney Flach
