DAD'S RAMBLING -- THE SUBSTITUTE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE SUBSTITUTE

"So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified." (Mark 15:15)

The footsteps of the soldiers echo up and down the corridors of the prison where Barabbas sits in chains, waiting in dread, fearing that they are coming for him to take him to his execution. He is worthy of death for committing murder. But he does not want to be crucified. It is better to be killed outright and die quickly than to hang for days on a cross and slowly die.

The footsteps stop at the door of his cell. His heart quickens. The keys to the lock on the door jangle in the quiet of the dungeon. The door opens and the jailer, flanked by Roman solders, commands, "Barabbas, come." He has no possessions except the clothes on his back, and after they unlock the chains, he arises and follows.

The jailer leads the way down the hallway towards another door, and he thinks to himself – "This is what I deserve – death. I've killed so many people, it is only right that they kill me. But I don't want to die."

The jailer opens the second door, and says, "Barabbas, you are free to leave." He stands there stunned, not knowing if he heard right. A thousand questions flood his mind – Why? What's going on here? There must be a mistake. I must have heard wrong.

Finally he gains his senses again and asks, "Is this a joke? How can I be free when I have been judged guilty of such horrible crimes?"

The jailer looks at him with disgust, but answers, "Someone else is being crucified in your place." "How can this be?" he asked in unbelief. "Who would take my place and bear my just punishment?"

"A man called Jesus of Nazareth," the jailer replied.

"Oh, I've heard of Him. He is a good man who has done many good things. He is not deserving of death. Why is He taking my place?"

"I don't have all the answers," said the jailer. "I only know that Pilate has ordered it. So go. Get out of here before Pilate changes his mind."

Barabbas starts to leave, but one more question pops into his mind. "How can I thank Him?"

"You can't. Even now He is in the street carrying His cross to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where He will be crucified. If you really want to show your appreciation, quit you life of rebellion and murder. You would honor His name by turning to God and living worthy of His sacrifice for you."

That is my story. I am Barabbas. I quit the evil life I had been living. And after this Jesus was resurrected from the dead, I believed in Him and became a follower of Him.

Years have passed, and I am still indebted to the One who took my place so that I could live. Jesus took my place and the punishment I deserved for my rebellion. But now I understand that He took my punishment in another way. He died in my place for my rebellion against God. He sacrificed His life so that I can live eternally. I am a Christian – a servant of the Lord Jesus who was my substitute. What a Savior!!!!

Love, Dad