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May 10, 2023 18:30pm

Through Jesus Christ

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The chains were tight around his wrist and ankles. He knew what awaited him. He had been a part of a rebellion against the Romans and he was guilty of murder. But today was a day of hope. On this day of the feast, the Roman Governor pardoned a prisoner and released him from his sentence. But would the Jewish people choose him, Barabbas, to release?

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It was all coming together. Everything was going according to plan. They finally had Jesus in custody. Soon, if Pilate listened to them, they would be free of this man who claimed to be the Messiah. It was blasphemous! He cannot be God! It was too much that He was filling the people’s heads with nonsense about forgiveness, serving one another, the meek will inherit the earth… it was all foolish. If they continued to hear things like that, they would believe it and then they would support Him and not us, the real religious leaders. He spoke with such authority, but where did He get that? We have the authority. And we won’t let Him take that away. Today is a day of hope. Today we will demand Pilate to crucify Jesus.

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The streets are noisy today. Would this be the uprising I had been warned about? They demand peace in this region, but this man Jesus has stirred up something within the Jewish community. The religious leaders are calling for His execution. In fact, they want to release Barabbas, the murderer, instead of Jesus, the one in whom I can find no guilt. What a strange group of people. It’s clear this man Jesus has done nothing wrong. But as the governor of this putrid area, if I let Him go, the Jews will have my head! That will be just the fuel they need to ignite their fire and the uprising will begin. What is He to me anyways? Who cares what they do as long as I save my head. Today is a day of hope. A day where I can keep my position and standing as long as I do whatever the chief priests wants.

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They know not what they do, Father. They know not what they say. How could they? They don’t understand. They cannot see your big plan. They’ve heard the words of the prophesies their whole lives yet they cannot believe that it is happening now, in their lifetime, and in this way. They want a savior, but not this way. They want to destroy the Romans and be released from their bondage. But you, Oh Lord, you have a better plan. I know there is pain ahead. I hear them screaming curses and calling them to crucify me. But today is a day of hope. What they mean for evil, Father, you mean for good. Oh how we love them. Each and every one of them. Let your will be done.

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“Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.” (Mark 15:6-15)

One event, four vantage points. All seeing this day as a day of hope. Hope for freedom, power, life and forgiveness. The first three couldn’t have known that all they hoped for was to come true in the death of Jesus, just not exactly as they had planned.

Through Jesus Christ, we have freedom.

Through Jesus Christ, we have power.

Through Jesus Christ, we have eternal life.

Through Jesus Christ, we have forgiveness.

It may feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Or the mess you’ve made of your life can never be cleaned. There is way too much baggage you carry for anyone to love you. People would look at you differently if they really knew your thoughts and secrets.

No matter how you look at it, today is a day of hope. Today is the day where you recognize what Jesus did for you, the love He showed as He died on the cross and accept His offer of freedom, power, eternal life and forgiveness.

Will you do that today? Pray to the Lord and He will hear the cries of your heart. Pour it out to Him and He is faithful and just to forgive!

I love you my friend, but God loves you so much more!