"What If They Met?"

  The man's life wasn't the best. He was known for his rebellion against any authority and was convicted of murder! He knew what awaited him. There would be an agony in being crucified but his defiant hatred of authority had so filled his heart, it didn't matter. If given the chance, he would murder again those in authority trying to over-turn the government rule that was hated.

  As he sat in his cell, chains on him, he heard the sound of soldiers walking. He knew what was coming. It makes you wonder if there ever was a time when a man in such position found his mind wander back to the days of his childhood? Would he think of the fun times with family and friends? Did he ever remember the time of innocence and being in the lap of his mother or holding the hand of his father? We don't know but now his life was about to end and he knew it!

  The cell door opened and the soldiers approached. They took hold of his chains pulling him from the guarded cell. This was it. His last walk. His last moments before being killed. His life was an 'eye-for-an-eye' life and now repayment would be met for one who hated this government. He was unshackled and thrown out of the prison. Standing outside, the soldiers walking away with his chains and shackles in hand, he was in a state of shock. "What's this?" he thought to himself. Calling out to one of the soldiers he asked, "What's going on?" The soldier turned and spoke, "We have signed authority from the governor to set you free. You're sentence has been commuted. You have received a full pardon!" The soldier walked away. Was this a dream? What was happening? He turned gazing ahead and took off. 

  In his hurry, he heard a crowd of noise and yelling. "I'm free! I have no reason to fear so I'll go check this out." he thought to himself. Looking over the crowd, watching and listening, people were yelling so loudly and every once in a while, he saw the top of a cross and knew someone was headed to die. "Who is that?" he asked someone. "Oh, that's a man named Jesus! He's the teacher from Nazareth." someone replied. "What crime did he commit?" Then came the words, "He's taking the place of another as required by law for the feast!" This hardened criminal had something shoot through his hard, insensitive heart and things began to clear up. This man knew himself was an avowed enemy of Rome. He was the worst and a convicted murderer and insurrectionist. Why are they crucifying this Nazarene in the place of another? Why would they kill this teacher? We know him as Barabbas! He is alone in his own thoughts. It makes one wonder, could this man Barabbas been one converted at the first preaching of the apostles at Pentecost 50 days later? I wonder if Barabbas ever met Jesus after this point? What if they met? What would Barabbas say? What would Jesus say? What will you say?