The other day at the end of one of my classes, one of my classmates jumped up and asked if she could play a video for us. She did, and God hit me with it. The Easter story is one of those stories that I've heard so many times that I forget to let the details sink in. This video led me to muse over one of the details that simply had never crossed my mind before.
Barabbas.
The character briefly mentioned in the crucifixion story; the bad guy; the sinner; the one who was freed when Jesus was killed; the one I inwardly despise as I read the story because he didn't deserve to be freed, and Jesus didn't deserve to die.
I honestly never thought twice about Barabbas. I never wondered what happened to him after he was freed, who his family was, or why he did what he did. I never viewed the cross of Christ from his perspective. And I certainly never considered the similarities between him and me.
This video hit me with a truth as real as the empty tomb. We often dub Barabbas the worst of the worst. But hey, I'm just as bad as he is. I think we all are. I mean, I've sinned against God. I've blatantly disobeyed Him and selfishly done what my selfish human self wants to do; at times, I've basically told Him that I can take care of myself and that I don't really need Him. Ouch.
But then there's this "wow" part. Watching this video, it hit me. Jesus could have saved Himself, but He let Barabbas go free instead. Because Jesus loves Barabbas. Jesus loves Barabbas as much as He loves me. He loves me as much as He loves Barabbas. He died for us both, to free us both, because He loves us both more than we could ever imagine. Like, wow.
I don't wanna keep talking here, I wanna let the video speak for itself. God is a loving God, full of redemption and grace. Nothing we could ever do could make Him love us any more or any less. He wants us; all of us. He wants to take our junk and our baggage; He wants to shower us with love and fill our hearts with joy; He wants to make us like Him; He wants to give us life.
I invite you to open up your heart and let Him. Accept that freedom. Because He laid down His life so that we could live and be free. You, and me, and Barabbas.
