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What
happened to...?
My name
is Barabbas. I was convicted of
insurrection and murder. I am guilty of much more.
While in prison, I heard of the preacher named Jesus.
According to the rumors, he was powerful and performed undeniable
miracles. But, he did a very dangerous thing...he confronted the
Jewish leaders with their hypocrisy and other sins. The Jewish
leaders hated Jesus so much that they determined to kill him.
One morning I heard the rumor that an illegal trial was
happening. The Jews had finally brought Jesus before Pilate and
demanded the death penalty. Pilate said the charges brought against
Jesus did not justify death. The crown shouted for the death of
Jesus.
Pilate did not want to kill Jesus but was afraid of the
Jews. He decided to use one of his customs for situations like this.
He gave the accusers the opportunity to choose between two men.
Pilate looked for the worst prisoner he could find...and I was the
choice.
As I stood before the angry crowd, I made a fatal
mistake. I looked at Jesus. When Jesus looked calmly into my
eyes, I was moved. It was as if Jesus said to me...Barabbas, you
cannot die for me today. I must die for you!
They crucified Jesus! I stood outside the prison...with
no chains. I could go anywhere I wanted, but I was not free. I
had looked at Jesus.
In just a few days I heard the rumor that the grave
of Jesus was empty. Then I heard Jesus had appeared to his disciples
many times and was taken into heaven. Jesus was free to go anywhere
he wanted. I had not chains, but I was not free. I had looked at
Jesus.
I am in the crowd on the day of Pentecost. As I
listened to Peter and the apostles preach the good news about Jesus,
I began to understand why I could not die for Jesus a few weeks ago.
I understood how the death of Jesus was able to make me clean.
I am still wet as I have come out of the water of
baptism free from the horror of my past. I have died to my past. Now
I can go anywhere I want in Peace...living a new life that belongs
to Christ.
I am finally a free man!
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