01/07/2019
The final story before Christâs journey to the cross commences, is the story of Barabbas.
I donât think that is a coincidence.
Barabbas was put on a platform with Jesus
And Pilate asked the people which one of these two men should be released
âGive us Barabbas!â They cried.
Barabbas.
The sinner.
Rebel.
Prisoner.
They chose Barabbas.
And they sent Christ to the cross.
Every time I read this, I get worked up by the injustice of the situation.
It was unfair.
Barabbas was unworthy.
He didnât deserve to be set free.
Christ carried the cross anyway.
As I sat reading the story this time,
I realized something:
I am Barabbas.
I am the sinner.
The rebel.
The prisoner.
I am the one chained up.
Sitting on the platform with my savior.
And He took my cross.
It is unfair.
I am unworthy.
I donât deserve it.
But He took the cross anyway.
The people may have chosen Barabbas,
Taken off his chains and set him free.
But here is the thing.
Jesus chose Barabbas first.
Jesus loosed Barabbasâ chains first.
Jesus set him free first.
Jesus cried âGive me Barabbasâ first.
Did Barabbas deserve it?
Did he show gratitude?
Did he even acknowledge the sacrifice?
The answer is,
It doesnât matter.
Barabbas means âson of the father.â
There is beautiful significance to this.
The point is,
We are all sons and daughters of the Father.
We are all Barabbas.
The point is,
it doesnât matter what person was on that platform.
You.
Me.
Barabbas.
Christ would have done the same for each of us.
He DOES the same for each of us.
Every day.
Every day I step on that platform.
And every day, Christ takes my cross.
âGive me Mary.â
He begs me..
Give me your pain.
your guilt.
your heartache.
Iâll take it all.
Every day, Christ looses our chains.
Every day, He allows us to walk free.
Do I deserve it?
No.
Am I worthy?
No.
But I am forever grateful.
Written by Mary Stallings
Art: âWe Want Barabbasâ by Honore Daumier
