In 2021, in Indonesia, there was a sixteen-year-old girl named Nadya. One night, she was scrolling through social media, watching different kinds of videos. She eventually came across a video that caught her eye. The video didn’t catch her eye because of what it was about or what the people were doing. The video caught her eye because the girl in it looked just like her. She had the same face. She was about the same age. She even had the same mannerisms. So Nadya decides to direct message the girl in the video, whose name was Nabila. After a series of messages back and forth and talking to their parents, they discovered that both of them were not only adopted at a young age; it turns out that they are twins. They were separated shortly after being born and just so happened to find each other sixteen years later through Twitter. Can you imagine what that would be like? After meeting each other for the first time, Nadya said this: “I was so shocked! It was like seeing myself in a mirror!”
This Sunday morning, as we continue to think about believing God’s story, we are going to talk about the crucifixion of Jesus. There is one character in the hours leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion that I see myself in so clearly. When I look at him, it is like looking into a mirror. His name is Barabbas. Barabbas is described as an insurrectionist (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19); he was a Jew who rebelled against the Roman government in the city of Jerusalem. In that insurrection, he was guilty of murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). He was a notorious prisoner (Matthew 27:16). He was a rebel (Mark 15:7). He was a robber (John 18:40), which is the same word that was used to describe the two robbers who were crucified alongside Jesus (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27). Every Passover, the Jews would choose a prisoner to be set free by the Romans (Matthew 27:15). On this occasion, they could choose to release either Barabbas or Jesus (Matthew 27:17). Who did they choose? Because of the persuasion of their religious leaders, they asked for Barabbas to be set free and Jesus to be destroyed and crucified (Matthew 27:20- 23). Barabbas was supposed to be the one hanging on the cross, alongside the other two robbers. He was the one who deserved it. He was the one who was guilty. But what happened? Barabbas was guilty, but Jesus took his place. Jesus was hung on the cross that should have been his. Jesus died the death that should have been his. Jesus suffered the pain and agony that should have been his. Barabbas was guilty, but Jesus took His place.
I see myself in Barabbas, don’t you? Just like Barabbas, we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). We have all rebelled against God. We have all committed terrible crimes against our Creator and those who He has made in His own image and likeness. Because of our sin, we deserve death (Romans 6:23). We are all guilty. But here is the thought that should melt our eyes to tears. Here is the thought that should fill our hearts and lives with thankfulness and gratitude: Jesus Christ took our place. As Isaiah writes, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5). Jesus was willing to pay the wage for the sins that I have committed. Jesus took the cross that should have been mine. Jesus died the death that should have been mine. Jesus suffered the pain and agony that should have been mine. I am the One who is guilty, but Jesus was willing to take my place. That is just as true for us as it was for Barabbas. When I see Jesus taking my place, how could I not love, serve, appreciate, and give my whole life to Him?
-Tyler Alverson
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