This thought keeps going through my mind today: I am Barabbas.
Imagine what that Friday must have been like for him. He was sitting in a jail cell awaiting his execution. He knew it was the last day of his life. It was the end. There was no hope. Then he hears the crowd chanting his name and the next thing he knows he's a free man. The charges are dropped. His life that was almost over starts over. And a sinless man named Jesus literally takes his place. He expected to die. He deserved to die. But his execution, in the sovereign plan of God, was scheduled on the same day Jesus was arrested.
If ever there was a picture of II Corinthians 5:21 this is it: "God made him who knew no sin to become sin for us."
I am Barabbas.
Imagine what that Friday must have been like for him. He was sitting in a jail cell awaiting his execution. He knew it was the last day of his life. It was the end. There was no hope. Then he hears the crowd chanting his name and the next thing he knows he's a free man. The charges are dropped. His life that was almost over starts over. And a sinless man named Jesus literally takes his place. He expected to die. He deserved to die. But his execution, in the sovereign plan of God, was scheduled on the same day Jesus was arrested.
If ever there was a picture of II Corinthians 5:21 this is it: "God made him who knew no sin to become sin for us."
I am Barabbas.
20 Comments:
I love this post, Mark. I've read that story over a dozen times, but never put myself in Barabbas' shoes. I always wondered, "What significance does he add to this story?" But your insight makes perfect sense.
He took our place up there...man. What a beautiful thing.
Never thought of it that way before. Thank you so much.
You are so right. Never thought of it that way. I am just like Barabbas. One day I woke up, and it was my lucky day. So thankful for Jesus taking our places...my place...up on that cross!
Happy Good Friday PM!
I've never viewed the story in that way before. Thank you for this.
wow, I never thought of it like that! I am Barabbas. how humbling and brought tears to my eyes.. Thanks for your insight.
I too LOVE this post Mark. Never thought about that. Thanks!
Great perspective Mark. And so so true. Thanks for the deeper look at who we really are and how gracious he really is. And, by the way, the previous post about the king and scripture is awesome as well. Love what you do and the way I am challenged by your thoughts out loud.
To "I am Barabbas" I can only respond, "Me, too".
Grace and Peace,
Another Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toEdT0VEHKI
WOW! That is so true Mark. I wonder if Barabbas realize who Jesus was and what dying on the cross really meant for him.I wonder if he recieved Jesus in his heart as his Savior or did he just have the head knowledge that Jesus just got him out jail that day. I have often heard the different between heaven and hell is 18" the different between a head knowledge of who Jesus was and a heart knownledge (having a relationship with Him). My prayer is for people not just know of the Savior but have a right relationship with him.
What a good Friday.
Great post Mark!
Yeah.. I never view it that way before.
Thanks for the insight.
Thanks for your beautiful insight.
Let us pray that Barabbas understood the significance of what had happened, as you do, Mark, and that he was transformed by grace as a result of this event. The scriptures leave this part of the story a mystery, it seems, in all four gospels.
What good is it for us to live for a few more years if we are condemned in the final judgment?
I have always been struck by the fact that Barabbas means Bar Abbas or Son of the Father. What a substitute... the Real for the sinful tarnished sons of Father. It works both ways... so indeed, I am barabbas!
Deus é Maravilhoso....
enviou seu filho Jesus Cristo para que se fizesse pecado por nós...
God is sovereign,
him send your son for us
I am barabbas, and i did not deserve your mercy.
Thanks for your insight.
best regards
farias, jesiel
Brazil
I have never felt any kinship with Barrabas. And why would I? I think of all the treatments on Barrabas I have encountered in movies and Easter contatas. You put me in his place. Excellent post.
I am Barabbas: ... all too many people "Imagine what that Friday must have been like for him.", -while, at the same time, very few know Who Barabbas is, -in deed, most 'assume' that Barabbas was "a notorious robber murderer and insurrectionist"; who was incongruently "released from prison", because. "the assembled multitude chose him over Jesus [Christ]".
I don't 'imagine what that Friday must have been like for him'... in stead, I know Barabbas.
I know that the original Greek Gospel according to Matthew, wrote: "Whom shall I release unto you? Jesus Barabbas or Jesus which is called Christ." (27:17) but was omitted from the Latin translation of the same text.
Imagine in stead therefore, "Jesus" who was called "Barabbas" and, falsely accused of robbery, murder and insurrection, -without evidence, much less proof.
Imagine, latter-day people's, denying "Jesus Barabbas'" divinity...
Imagine that the Jewish 'messianic insurrectionists' were destroyed and/or subdued and that Then The 'Holy Gospels' were written by the 'victors' (who have influenced All of western civilization since 'those days')?
One does not have to 'imagine' that 'Barabbas' is actually an Aramaic appellation, the meaning of which is: Bar = Son + Abba = Father (God).
As for myself, I imagine "Judas the Galilean" (or his son) was "crucified".
I love Ruth Senter's poem about Barrabas. Here's a blog that published it this year:
http://eucharisteojourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/good-friday.html
Awfully good point, Mark. Thanks for it!
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