I am Barrabas

First off – sorry for the long silence.  We just returned from two weeks of travel with little time to write in there.  Before that we repainted our kitchen, living room and dining room.  Throw in two birthday boys and Easter and well, you know now why you haven’t heard from me.  I’ll post pics of the paint and bday celebrations soon.  For now – here is a “confession” and then my thoughts on Easter.

It seems like every Easter sneaks up on me.  I’m so busy just doing life I often stare it straight in the face Easter morning like a guest I knew was going to arrive but never took the time to prepare for.  I printed out devotions to do with the boys and never got to it.  I even planned a craft reflecting the death and resurrection and it is still on my “to-do” homeschool pile. (I think I will still do it bc the significance of the resurrection is something I want to be teaching EVERY day anyways).  So now that you know how imperfect my pursuit of Christ is I'll share with you where my mind went as I re-read the Easter story. 

I am Barabbas in this story.  My guilt is certain, my punishment deserved, and my fate of certain death before me.  And in some miracle that I wasn’t even looking for I escaped certain death in the final hour, released from prison to live again.  My life exchanged for Jesus’. Barabbas was the first captive to be set free – maybe not from the spiritual death – but a physical example for all of what Jesus was about to accomplish spiritually. 

I wonder what Barabbas thought of it all and if he took advantage of his second chance.  Did he live a better life?  Did he seek to know his Rescuer?  Did he allow his life to be transformed, forever marked by the day he was released from prison?  Or did he continue on his criminal path?

When I encountered Jesus my physical death was not imminent like Barabbas’ but my life in the next was just as fated.  Do I appreciate all that Christ has done for me, exchanging His life for mine?  Do I allow the rest of my days to be transformed by the day I was rescued from continual separation from the One Who Created me?  My rescue – as unjust as it was, but freely given – is secure.  I am Barabbas and I am released.  How now will I live?  Will I remain chained to my sins or walk in the freedom and grace He purchased for me?