Skip to main content

The Trade-off


When we reflect on the events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus, and the implications of these events, we cannot but think very highly of God as having perfectly aligned every of these events to the end that man will be forever free, and never have to be bound by any string of the evil one.

Of all the events that led up to the death and resurrection of Jesus, my concentration in this piece is on the tradeoff that saw Jesus heading for the cross, and Barabbas heading home a free man. We know from scriptures that the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time took him to Pilate to pass the death sentence on Him. Pilate having examined the case, saw no need for Jesus to be imprisoned, much more to be executed.

In an attempt to release Jesus, Pilate reminded the people that he had the prerogative to release a prisoner to them to mark the Passover. I think that Pilate himself did not understand the turn of events that day, and he underestimated the resolve of the Jewish leaders at that time who wanted Jesus executed at all cost. So, Pilate offered to release Jesus, knowing that the people really had nothing against him. To the greatest amazement, the people began to shout “Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas.” (Lk.23:18)

Barabbas!

In other words, the people were saying we would rather have Barabbas walk free than this Jesus. But Barabbas was a robber and a murderer, perhaps the most notorious of his time, and the talk of town at that time. Certainly he must have so terrorized society so much that everyone knew him, and I am certain that the people must have been happy to know that he was in custody of the authorities given how dangerous he was. He certainly couldn’t have received anything short of the death sentence, but here is the same fellow that has now been chosen to walk free, while the son of God headed for the gruesome execution on the cross.

The trade-off of Jesus for Barabbas perfectly illustrates the love, mercy and the grace of God towards humanity. It really doesn’t matter how bad one may have lived, God accepts everyone equally with open arms, because Jesus has taken your place. This is the message of the cross – that God sees you absolutely flawless on account of Jesus’ finished work.

Calvary covered it all.

Happy Resurrection!


Comments

  1. Oluronke16 April 2022 at 07:35

    This beautiful piece is indeed a great reminder about God's love for us! Thanks for sharing Sir. Happy Easter

    ReplyDelete
  2. Victor16 April 2022 at 09:55

    It's always good to reflect on the crucifixion and death of Jesus, it reminds me of how much he suffered and died so I can live. Nice piece

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Updated: Don’t Bind the Brook, Don’t Rebuke the Ravens - Simple Lesson in Obedience

  Over the years I have come to understand the place of simple obedience to the instructions of God, and the huge difference it could make in one’s life. I have also come to see how easy believers can be in disobedience, yet be able to cover up with some form of spiritual activity, then in the end attempt to pass on the responsibility for their failures on God.   This can possibly account for one of the biggest reasons why there are believers who seem not to be making progress in life in spite of their seeming spirituality. The situation is even more compounded when older believers who should set the example for younger believers fall into this group. The implication is that there will be a generation of young believers who cannot seem to find the proper alignment between the Christian faith and being productive in life.   The story of the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17, clearly illustrates my point.  The Word of the Lord had come to the prophet to camp by the bro...
8 comments
Read more

Blessed By Association - Updated

Abraham by God’s calling had become a blessed man walking in the blessing. God appeared to him, changed his name and gave him the covenant of circumcision. You would have thought that all this will happen to just Abraham and his family, but not so, the blessing as we see it (Gen 17: 12-14) was also for as many as were with Abraham at that time. They came into the lineage of blessing simply by association with the man Abraham, they were to be circumcised just like Abraham, and came under the same covenant blessing. These people who were associated with Abraham at that time, including his household servants, enjoyed the most of the covenant that God Almighty gave to him. It therefore goes to show that there are associations in life that will forever set you up for the blessing. That is why you must treasure the relationships that God brings into your life, and never take them for granted.  In one of the piece published on this blog,  Identity by association , it was emphasized t...
4 comments
Read more

Flourishing in Hard Times

  No doubt we are in very challenging times, there seems to be crisis everywhere, and most economies in the world are affected. Many Christians have become casualties of the the economic hardship that is raging across the world, and worst still is that many seem really helpless even in the face of the obvious help that God has promised His people.   This piece seeks to highlight a few important points that could be of significance in helping the believer to flourish in these hard times.   1.      Know that your sins are forgiven and enter His rest   And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. Gen.26:1   The bible records that that there was a famine in the land and Isaac moved to Gerar. Gerar signifies a lodging place or a place of rest. Many believers have yet to come to that place of rest in Christ. They still live with a consc...
4 comments
Read more