"Barabbas"

His name means "son of the father." However, he was not the kind of man that would make a father proud. He is described as a "notorious prisoner, a murderer, an insurrectionist and a robber."His name? Barabbas! He was found guilty by governing authorities and was deserving death for the crimes he committed. Under Roman law, his death sentence was by crucifixion!

The paths of "son of the father" crossed that of Jesus Christ, "Son of the Heavenly Father." Barabbas course of life was changed when their paths crossed! Barabbas was guilty and deserved the punishment he was assigned for his crimes. Jesus Christ became the substitute for Barabbas. Not only did Jesus become Barabbas substitute, He became ours too! Pilate, in scourging Jesus and inquiring of Him, found no guilt in Him. The pitiful, hateful plot of man cried out that this "son of the father" should be set free so the "Son of the Father" could die! The depth that sin takes us into is beyond belief sometimes.

In all of this, we see a vivid picture of what Jesus did, not just for Barabbas but all of us. Barabbas was without any hope. We too, in our sins, were without hope. The judgment of sin and the imprisonment under it's power had us heading to a horrible fate. Then came the substitute...Jesus Christ. He was our substitute. It makes me wonder today, how many are willingly saying to God, "Give me Barabbas" in the place of Christ? We live the way we want to live, have just enough religion to be comfortable but making sure the Lord doesn't really interfere with our lifestyle. Pilate asked the right question, ""Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?" Our answer to that question in each of our personal lives reveals every thing about us!