"I Am Barabbas" February 16 Readings: Leviticus 10-11, Matthew 27:15–44, Psalm 24, Proverbs 6:6-8

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Reading the Bible in 2023

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!

NOTE: if you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Leviticus 10-11, Matthew 27:15–44, Psalm 24, Proverbs 6:6-8

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional:  I Am Barabbas

The story of the crucifixion of Christ is disgusting, sorrowful, enrapturing, and transformational, all at once. But it is sometimes hard to find my place in the story. I've had my moments where I cowered as Peter did, afraid of the consequences of standing for my Lord. I'm not sure I've had a Judas moment, but there are times when my silence may have been a betrayal of sorts. The soldiers and the crowds disgust me, but I also must admit regarding the sin of my own heart that nothing is beyond the reach of my wickedness. One day, I will be like Christ because of the work God has done in my life, but today is not that die. 

So, who am I in the story of the Cross? There is one character most like me, one with whom I identify more than any other. 
I am Barabbas. 
No, I'm not a criminal or a political revolutionary or whatever it is that he was. But there are so many similarities - significant markers that identify me with this wicked man. 

1. I deserved to die. 

No one claimed Barabbas was innocent. He was not falsely accused or wrongly tried as Jesus was. He was not convicted on the basis of lies and false stories. Barabbas deserved the death that faced him. He did nothing to merit the favor he received. 

I am a sinner and I deserve death. As sinners go, perhaps I am not the most vicious or vile (unless you peel a few layers and look into my heart - please don't!). Raised in a Christian home where love abounded, I've not plumbed the depths of sin as some have. But I have no doubt. I am guilty before God. If I were to stand before God, my verdict would be guilty. And the wages of sin is death. 

Like Barabbas, I deserved death. 

2. Jesus took my place. 

The crowd, at the urging of the religious leaders, chose Barabbas over Jesus, so our Savior went to the cross. Barabbas went free. Jesus took his place.

When he hung on the cross, he was there in my place, dying for my sins. "I'm the one to blame, I caused all the pain." It was in place of me (and you) that Jesus bled and died.

3. I am now free. 

We have no idea what happened to Barabbas after Jesus took his place and he went free. Fictional portrayals have his life changing as a result of the grace he experienced. My hope is that this is true and one day I will him on the streets of gold. Perhaps, though, he went back to his life of crime and rebellion. But Barabbas was a free man because Jesus took his place.

I am a free man today because Jesus took my place and died for my sins. I am righteous because Jesus bore my sins.

When I read the story of Jesus's death, I know who I am. I am Barabbas, and by HIS stripes, I am healed.
Father, thank you for your grace. I did not deserve it, but you sent your Son to take my place and free me from my sins. My desire is to live the rest of my life in obedient thanks because of what you did for me!

 

Consider God's Word:

Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one? 
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Face reality today, as you pray. We are not the heroes of the Bible story. We are the rebels, those who did evil and were saved by God's gracious love.
Take time today to consider this great work and give thanks.





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