Yesterday I was reading Beth Moore’s blog, The Body and The Blood, and wondering how to get her permission to reprint it here. After I read it, I started scrolling through the comments. The very first comment hit me like a bolt from Above.
I’d never before considered what Michele received from God yesterday morning. “We are Barabbas.”
We. Are. Barabbas. (The murderer the people wanted released as they shouted to crucify Christ.) Jesus died that we might live.
As I read her blog I realized, we are Judas. We betray Christ each time we sin.
We are the nails in His hands. His love for us held Him to the cross. Matthew 26:53–“Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”
We’re the spear that pierced his side, his punishment and his wounds. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.
Our sins were the stone closing his tomb. But Jesus removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. “Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. John 16:2-4
He’s who the prophets talked about. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Rev 22:16
He’s the light in the sunrise. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Rev. 21:23
He is Life. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10.
Here’s part of Beth’s prayer–
My Dearest Abba and my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus,
Cause me to be moved and mindful of this death and resurrection season – Of this, the most important annual celebration we commemorate as Your church. Cause me to be awake and aware in You, Lord. I am so grateful for the sacrifice of this One spotless Lamb of God. For just a moment, I try to imagine myself on that same road of suffering with that same cross on my flesh-torn back, pierced, hung, and exposed on that same tree and I shudder. My sins outweigh my frame, Lord. I am unable to bear them. Thank You, Jesus, for not only bearing the pain but for enduring the shame.
You can read all of Beth’s wonderful post here.
And you can read Michele thought provoking, We are Barabbas here.
Have a wonderful Resurrection Sunday.
Susan Spess Shay 