WATCHWORD:
7 One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, a revolutionary who, they said, had committed murder in an uprising. Mark 15:7
12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas.[d] 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Matthew 27:11-17
18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!”19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.)20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him and release Barabbas to us!” Luke 23:18-21
Meditation:
A Life for Barabbas
Today, A Life for Barabbas is released and will find its way into bookstores everywhere, through Amazon, and other on-line outlets. Here is an introduction to the story, in Barabbas’ own words:
It was late when they finally arrested me. At my trial, I was charged with treason against Rome and a murder that was committed during the insurrection. I was found guilty on both charges and was sentenced to death by crucifixion, a sentence that would be carried out in just a few days!
Now it is Friday. My Execution Day. I sit in prison, my wrists and ankles chaffed by these chains. I’m scared! I always boasted that I feared nothing! But now, my mouth is dry, my heart is beating wildly and there are times when I can hardly breath. Over the years, I thought many times about this day, the day of my death, and dismissed it. But, this is different, and I’m not ready for this.
I sit on the dusty floor of this cell, waiting. I tremble with fear, but remain silent, my head between my knees. I hear the footsteps of my executioner. I hear the cell door opening, and feel the removal of my chains. I do not look up, nor do I speak. I know what I am about to hear; “it is time for you to pay for your crimes!”
Instead, I hear “they took Jesus instead of you. You’re free to go.” I don’t understand what was said. I look up, just two guards stand there, one motions for me to leave. I ask him “What did you say?” The guard repeats: “They took Jesus instead of you, Barabbas, now you must leave”. The cell door stands open. I’m free? Is this a trick? No.
I walked away from prison and began to wander the streets. I was in a daze. A convicted criminal, out of prison? That made no sense. On the street, those who recognized me, avoided me. They wouldn’t even look my way. I felt that I had nowhere to go. The judge took me from prison and set me free, but was I free? My past followed me like a dark shadow. I have nothing to look forward to, only a past that convicts me wherever I go. I can’t go home, it would endanger my family. I have no friends, but then I never had many real friends, just fellow criminals. I am a man without a future.
What could I do? My thinking keeps returning to what had happened back in prison. What strange set of circumstances led the jailers to release me from certain execution? They chose someone else? Who? Why? I was a free man, yet still in a prison, a prison of my own making.
I was aware of a crowd, just up the street. Then, simply out of curiosity, I followed them up the hill called Calvary where crucifixions were taking place. There were three crosses. I hesitated. I really didn’t want to go there. Earlier this day, I feared I would be on one of those crosses. I looked up at the three Criminals being put to death. I couldn’t watch, yet I had to! I should have been one of those dying there.
What had the guard said? “They took Jesus instead.” Jesus, that was the name. Who was this Jesus? Was he one of those three up there? Had one of these men taken his place on a cross? Why would he do that? Then, I heard the name “Jesus” spoken among the crowd. I asked someone near me, “was one of those three Jesus?” He pointed to the middle cross. And, once again, I recalled the words of the guard: “They have taken Jesus instead of you”. I studied hard the man, the one in the middle, the one called Jesus. Who was this man, this man who was there, dying for me! Why?
I stood on the far edge of the crowd, just watching and thinking. I then became aware that Jesus was looking at me and, for just a moment, he held my gaze! He looked at me as if I was a friend! No, not a friend, more than a friend. Who was he? This person I had never met. A person I had never seen before. Oh, yes, I remembered stories about a man called Jesus, stories about miracles and teaching. If this is that Jesus, why was he there on the cross, dying in my place?
This is how it started for Barabbas, a forty-year journey to redemption.
Bulletin Board:
My ego requires me to inform you that my book A Life for Barabbas is being released today! It is published by the Faith Division of TouchPoint Press. Check out their site and the list of Christian authors and their books, me included!
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
God our Father, I believe that out of Your infinite love You have created me. In a thousand ways, I have shunned Your love. I repent of each and every one of my sins. Please forgive me. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for me, to save me from eternal death. I choose this day to enter into covenant with You and to place Jesus at the center of my heart. I surrender to Him as Lord over my whole life. I ask You now to flood my soul with the gift of the Holy Spirit so that my life may be transformed. Give me the grace and courage to live as a disciple in Your Church for the rest of my days. In Jesus name, I pray Amen.
