“We Are More Like Barabbas”

A vital part of Christianity is understanding substitutionary atonement. By nature humans are sinful people who try time and time again to do right but we always fall short. I’m not sure if as Christians we can understand the Gospel without understanding substitutionary atonement. A simple definition of substitutionary atonement is Jesus Christ dying as a substitute for sinners. As the song says “He took my place”.

As Human beings we are all guilty of being sinful people. Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, and the penalty for sin is death. History has proven mans true nature we fall most of the time, and the times we don’t fall our righteousness is considered as filthy rags. There are 1,189 chapters is the Bible only two chapters reflect man in a perfect state. The other 1,187 chapters show man in his fallen state.

So how do we get back in right standing with god our creator? Jesus is how we do that. Jesus paid the price demanded by justice for your sins, you are declared innocent and righteous before God, the supreme Judge, when you are united with Christ Jesus. There is absolutely no other salvation for mankind outside of Jesus Christ. He is the ONLY way! 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Matt chapter 27 is a clear picture of how Jesus Christ physically took our place. We see Jesus on trial before a Roman governor name Pontius Pilate. It was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. We will see how this crown of religious people chooses a sinner over a savior. Verse 21-22 says “Which of the two do you want me to release to you? Asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, Crucify him!" This is exactly what substitutionary atonement looks like. By reading this passage of scripture we get a glimpse of how Christ took the place of men and woman worthy of death.

Before we start to judge Barabbas its important for us to reflect and look at our own sin. Just as Barabbas should have been the one on the cross so should we! The Old Testaments proves that man has always been sinful and rebellious against God. Time and time again we have chosen sin over righteousness.

God’s Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to pay for the price of our sins. Because he did this for us; we now have the opportunity to not only have our sins forgiven, but to spend eternity with Him. BUT in order to do this we must place our faith in what Christ did on the cross. So the next time you think about being like Jesus, take time to reflect that we are more like Barabbas. We are men and woman in desperate need of a substitute to take our place. Jesus Christ is the perfect substitutionary atonement for our sins.

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