The King’s Love

I’ve decided to repost this from 2024, as I can’t better capture how I feel about Good Friday…

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Matthew 27:21-26

Whatever happened to Barabbas?

I’m not sure, but put yourself in his shoes for a moment.
You’ve killed a man.
This terrible act only underlines your life of crime.
Your fate is sealed, and death awaits. Life is hopeless for you.

Outside your prison cell you hear a large crowd yelling.
Footsteps approach and you see two large Roman guards opening your cell door.
Without a word they grab you and take you out to a small courtyard where the crowd has gathered.

You see the chief priests, the unruly crowd, and the Roman soldiers…then you see someone else.
He stands off to your side.
His face is bruised and swollen.
He lifts His gaze and fixes it on you…it’s unsettling.

He doesn’t belong in jail. You can tell immediately that he isn’t hard, he’s kind. Fair. Honest. Righteous.

The Governor suddenly speaks up…“Shall I release Jesus unto you, or Barabbas?”

What a joke…you’re almost ready to laugh when the crowd yells your name…
“Barabbas! Release Barabbas!”

And they release you. Wow.
You’re still a murderer and yet you’re free to go. You glance over at Jesus and He looks right through you…His look says it all.

DONT FORGET THIS.
I LOVE YOU, TOO, BARABBAS.

As they push you toward the prison exit, you turn back to see Jesus being led away to the scourging post to be beaten.
The crowd chants against him with a fervor as he goes to receive the punishment that YOU deserve.

Christ died willingly for the worst of humanity and the vilest of sinners.

Don’t forget about Jesus.
He hasn’t forgotten about you.
Have a great weekend and rejoice in the love, sacrifice, and resurrection of Christ!