Good Morning!
Yesterday we saw Jesus and Pilate. Pilate is still doing his level best to get out of condemning someone who is clearly innocent of any wrong doing, but the crowds are getting restless. He must avoid a riot at all cost. Let’s look at happens next. Read through Mark 15:6-15.
Can you picture the scene? Jesus standing next to Pilate. Suddenly we are introduced to a new character in the story. A man named Barabbas. An insurrectionist. We don’t use that word much any more. The dictionary defines insurrectionist as a person who rises up against authority. So here stands Barabbas - possibly right next to Jesus - pulled out among a group of “rebels” that were in prison ready to be crucified for leading a rebellion against the Roman authority. Not only did he rise up against the Roman authority, but he is also guilty of murder!
Barabbas and Jesus...standing side by side. One a rebel against authority. One who IS over all authority, yet submitted to the government. One guilty of taking life. One who gives life. “Which do you chose,” Pilate asks? Which one will go free? “Barabbas!” the crowds cry... “set Barabbas free!” And so this is what Pilate does. He sets the guilty free and delivers Jesus to be crucified.
There is no greater picture of what the cross is all about than this scene! There is no greater picture of “in my place condemned He stood” than this picture right how. The guilty are set free while the innocent takes on the judgment!
Every human on this planet who has ever lived since Adam and Eve are insurrectionists! Do you realize that each of us have risen up against the authority of God. It is a horrible thing to rise up against human authority. But it is an even worse crime to rise up against the Sovereign God of creation! It is cosmic treason! But this is what we do. All the time. Every time we chose to live life according to what is right in our own eyes, we rebel against God’s authority. Like Barabbas we are guilty and stand justly condemned. But like Barabbas we have been given the opportunity for freedom from the bonds that hold us imprisoned and from the judgment we deserve. We have the opportunity to be set free because Jesus took on God’s judgment on our behalf! Oh what a Savior! Isn’t He wonderful! Think about this! Meditate on this! This is life-changing news!!!
What was running through Barabbas’ mind in moments as a Roman soldier unchained his hands and feet and he realized he was free?? What were his thoughts when he realized that the he had escaped the cruel suffering of death on the cross? Was he shocked? Did he cry? De he understand what was really going on? Did he wonder who this Jesus was? Did He look into the eyes of his Savior? We hear nothing again of Barabbas. We don’t know what the rest of his story was.
But what about you? Put yourself there...because in reality Barabbas represents you and me! What are your thoughts when you realize that you have been unchained and set free? What are your feelings when you realize that YOU will not receive the just penalty for insurrection against the Cosmic King of the Universe? What is your response when you realize that the very King you revolted against is the very One who stood condemned in your place. Behold your King!
Falling on our faces in worship seems to be fitting a fitting response!
“O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love!”
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