Bible Reading: Job 1-3; Acts 7:1-19
“The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” Matthew 27: 21,26.
Barabbas should have been crucified on the cross because he was guilty of many crimes like many people in the world today, who should all be destroyed for sins and crimes against God and humanity. Barabbas was not crucified though, but Jesus, who was an innocent man, was crucified instead. So also everyone of us who believe in Jesus as our Lord are spared from death because Jesus died in our place. His sacrifice on the cross over 2000 years ago is still in effect for us to this very day. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22
The people did not identify any difference between Jesus and Barabbas on a conscious level, but subconsciously they knew that there was a difference and that is the reason why they chose Barabbas. They chose Barabbas because he was one of their own kind, a sinner. Everyone in the crowd who cried out for Barabbas to be released was just as guilty as Barabbas. And we are just as guilty as that crowd who cried out for Jesus’ crucifixion. This is because every time we sin we drive the nail into Jesus’ hands or feet. All of mankind is responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross, because it was for our sins that he was slain.
Just like Barabbas, we are living in sin and are condemned to death to be tortured for all eternity in the flames of hell, but we are set free because Jesus died in our place. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:68. And we are saved because Jesus became our substitute when He took our place on the cross. That is why we don’t have to get our lives straightened up first before we accept Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, we are admonished to come as we are to receive His free gift of salvation. And when we do He will receive us just as we are.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for taking my place in death that I shall not be destroyed but have eternal life.
Pastor Alfred Samuel