DEVOTION//Barabbas' story; my story

At the time of the Festival, the governor had a custom to release to the crowd any one prisoner they wanted. At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. So when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you? Barabbas—or Jesus, who is called Christ?” For Pilate knew that they had handed Jesus over to him because of envy.…

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

“Barabbas!” they said.

Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:15-22 ).

Barabbas. I wonder what life was like for him after Good Friday and Easter Sunday. After he was released from his death sentence and prison. After Jesus died in his place. After he had time to consider what he would do with the remainder of his life.

I suppose that a possibility is that Barabbas shrugged off the price Jesus paid so he could go free. Perhaps Good Friday only made for an entertaining story, frequently told, when he and fellow ruffians guzzled tankards of wine.

But I’d rather imagine Barabbas as a man who was transformed from pirate to patron, from malefactor to benefactor, and even from revolutionary to redeemed.

I’d rather imagine Barabbas’ story that way because that story reflects my story. My story, too, is one of open rebellion against the King of kings; of murderous thoughts; of thievery through covetousness; of countless other ways I have and continue to sin against my God.

Yet, Jesus has taken my place. He took my rightful scourging. He mounted the cross intended for me. He opened himself to the never-ending punishment I have earned. Jesus willingly abandoned his rights as the Innocent One and submitted to the crowd’s demands – and to his Father’s will – that he be crucified. Crucified for me.

I’d rather imagine Barabbas as a man transformed by God’s grace into a follower of Jesus. Because Barabbas’ story is my story.

And, I am sure, Barabbas’ story is also your story.

What can I for such love divine

To you, Lord Jesus, render?

No merit has this heart of mine;

Yet while I live I’ll tender

Myself alone and all I own

In love to serve before you.

Then when time’s past, Take me at last;

In heaven I shall adore you. (CW 126:5)