Theme: Barabbas, Christ
took his place.
I
don’t know where to begin . . . But I was watching on TV to the great speaker
who was talking about “Barabbas.” It began with three crosses for three robbers
to be crucified. Barabbas was in prison who was a rebel and had committed
murder during a riot (Mark 15:7). Barabbas was chosen to be the center of the
three crosses because his was the worst crime. He was a murderer while other
two were just robbers.
Now
come to the scene of where Jesus and Pilate were standing before the Pharisees,
Sadducees and the people. The soldiers brought out Barabbas beside Jesus. Pilate
asked the people which one should he released as it was a custom during
Passover festival time. To understand
this, there was no plan to crucify Jesus.
Pilate
did not want Jesus to be crucified because Jesus was not guilty to die on the
cross. Pilate said, “I find no faults in
Him” (Luke 23:4). The cross was only for
those who have done criminal’s act. Jesus
hasn’t done any crime at all. Barabbas
was a robber and a murderer who deserved to die on the cross.
So
Pilate let them choose . . . Barabbas or Jesus. Pilate was hoping that people
would choose Jesus and set Him free. But they chose Barabbas. Pilate asked, “What shall I do with Jesus who
is called Christ?” People shouted, “Crucify Him.” Pilate asked, “Why? What evil
has He done?” Pilate knew that Barabbas
was an evil man compared to Christ who had not done anything wrong.
“The
people cried out the more, saying, Let Him be crucified . . . (Matt 27:23). Here the scenery changed . . . at Calvary . . . Jesus took Barabbas’ place
on the crucifixion. Barabbas received GRACE . . . there was a movie story about
Barabbas revealing God’s grace on Barabbas . . . that Barabbas understood grace
. . . He said, “Christ took my place.” And gently beat his chest with tears in
his eyes.
The
great speaker quoted: Since then we are in the line of Barabbas . . . we are
under God’s grace . . . We were supposed
to die on the cross, but Christ took our places. Jesus took Barabbas’ place at
the cross. This makes me appreciate even
more for that resurrection day of Christ. Let our hearts ring with a song of
resurrection morning.
Song: Christ Arose
Low
in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Savior!
Waiting
the coming day, Jesus, my Lord!
Up
from the grave He arose,
With
a mighty triumph over His foe;
He
arose a victor from the dark domain,
And
He lives forever with His saints to reign;
He
a-rose! He a-rose!
Hallelujah!
Christ a-rose!
(Robert Lowry, Sing His
Praise)
He
is risen! And Happy Easter!
Dorothy
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