I am set free... or at least I want to be

It was custom to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. When the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas or Jesus, who is called the Christ?" He knew it was out of envy that they (the religious leaders of the time) had handed Jesus over to him... The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and have Jesus executed instead. Pilate asked the crowd again, and they insisted again on Barabbas' release. "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" (Paraphrased from Matthew 27:15-22)

Barabbas, guilty of crimes that historians believe might be called terrorism today, was set free. He got a fresh start. Jesus took his place on the cross. Like Barabbas, I am declared free because Jesus took my place. He died on the cross for my sin, so that I don't have to. 

Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. Jesus took our place on that cross.

Romans 6:23 explains the consequences of our sin. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Without Jesus, we deserve death on the cross for our sins, just like Barabbas.

Romans 5:8 explains why Jesus willingly died on the cross though he didn't deserve it. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He died. For every one of us! Jesus' death and resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus' death as the payment for our sins.

Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him and trust His death as the payment for our sins. We will be saved. Romans 10:9 says "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and set us free. 

Barabbas was a guilty man set free. Jesus took his place. He was a man given a new start and he never looked back. That's the end of his story. I wonder if he really knew who stood in his place that day. Or if he even cared.


I am guilty. I am prideful, lazy, quick to anger, and so much more. Jesus, who is my Lord and Savior, took my place. He has given me a new start. I don't want my story to end. Unlike Barabbas, I want my life in Christ to show, not for me, but to honor and glorify Him.


Yet, I find I am more like Barabbas than I want to be. I have the new life, but I don't always accept it. I let the sins of my past weigh me down. Even though I know Jesus has already paid the price, I hold on to them. I don't forgive myself. It's time for me to let go of my past and really be set free. 


I don't want my story to end.