Easter

Every year for the past 6 or so years during the Easter season, I have gone to a production that New Life Church puts on called "The Thorn" I'm sure many of you reading this have been to the Thorn sometime. It is one of the highlights of my year. Not only because I love good theater and drama, but because its almost like a refocusing on what Christ did for YOU and ME.


And while I could go on and on about that, there is something else I would like to focus on. A very small part that often goes un-noticed in the Easter story: Read here from Matt 27:15-26

 15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.

      19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message,saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21But the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” 23And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”

      24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” 25And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” 26Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 

So I'm sure we have all heard of Barabbas. How the crowd picked him over Jesus. But is there something deeper? In the Thorn it is referenced how possibly the 1st person to realize what Jesus was doing was Barabbas. He was supposed to be in Jesus' place. (We aren't specifically told that but can imply it from the text that he was a dangerous criminal and would have possibly been executed) He should have been the one to have been beaten and crucified. 


Aren't we are all Barabbas'. We have all done horrible things deserving (eternal) death. But Jesus took our place. 


"He who knew NO sin became sin on our behalf"
"By His stripes we are healed" 


As we enter this Easter season, While it is nice to think about the grave and the empty tomb let us not forget the price that Jesus paid for each and everyone of us. 
THIS is how much he loves us (here is a link to a friend's blog to a post that she did which is really powerful): Forgiveness

Footprints

One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

Yes I know this was in a different post but i really like it so it gets it own spot