I am Barabbas
Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Matthew 27:26
This passage clearly illustrates what Jesus came to do. He came to save sinners by trading places with them. On the day of His crucifixion, the people were given a choice: they could release Jesus, the perfect and innocent Son of God, or they could set free a well-known criminal, Barabbas. Barabbas was guilty. He had committed crimes deserving of the punishment of death, yet Jesus took his place.
It may seem like Jesus had no choice in the matter, but He did. He could have called upon His Father, and God would have sent more than twelve legions of angels to rescue Him (Matthew 26:53). But instead, Jesus willingly chose to take Barabbas’ punishment in the same way that He chose to take mine.
He did it for you, too. I like to call it the Great Exchange. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus took my sin, your sin, and the sin of the whole world. In exchange, He gave us the opportunity to be in right relationship with God. Through His sacrifice, He opened the door for us to enter into the presence of our Heavenly Father, to seek His wisdom, and to live in the freedom He provides.
On that day, Barabbas was free to walk away and to return to the life he lived before. In the same way, Jesus’ sacrifice offers you freedom. He died to release you from the bondage of sin and the weight of guilt and shame. But you have a choice: will you step into the new life He has made available? All you need to do is invite Him in and walk through the door He has opened for you.
Here are the steps to take to enter into that great exchange with your Savior:
- Acknowledge Your Need for Him – Just like Barabbas, we were all guilty, yet Jesus took our place. Spend time in prayer, thanking Him for taking your punishment and giving you His righteousness. (Romans 3:23-24)
- Accept His Forgiveness – Don’t let guilt keep you from walking in the freedom Jesus has provided. Confess your sins and believe that He has washed you clean. (1 John 1:9)
- Live in the New Identity He Gave You – Barabbas could have returned to his old ways, but Jesus offers a new life. Choose to live as a redeemed child of God, following His Word daily. (Galatians 2:20)
- Walk in Relationship with God – Spend time reading Scripture, praying, and seeking His presence daily. The more time you spend with Jesus, the more you will walk in the freedom He gives. (John 15:4-5)
- Share the Good News – Just as Jesus took Barabbas’ place, He took the place of everyone who will accept Him. Tell others about the freedom and salvation found in Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Today, I encourage you to think about the choice Jesus made to free you from sin. Recognize that He took your place, paying the penalty that was rightfully yours. Thank Him for bridging the gap between you and God and embrace the salvation He so freely offers. Press into your Heavenly Father and walk in the blessed life He planned for you before the foundation of the world, before sin entered and separated humanity from Him.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 27:15-26
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.
16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They said, “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
The Daily Dose 