Dear Barabbas…

Dear Barabbas,

Were you ready to die? You had been arrested for your crimes, sentenced to death. Had you accepted that fate? When another man was brought before you, Pilate asked the question to the crowd, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” Did you hold your breath in anticipation? In that split second, did your heart stop beating, hoping they would choose you? Had you given up hope? Were you sure they would release this innocent man? And when the crowd responded with your name instead of his, did you feel every letter spoken? Were you surprised? Did relief wash over you? Did your heart sting with guilt? The shadow of death no longer loomed over you. Your chains were broken. You were freed by the blood of another. 

You committed crimes that were worthy of death, a death fit for a sinner. Yet another stepped in and took the death that was supposed to be yours, the death that was supposed to be mine.

I don’t know what you did after they called your name. Did you stick around to witness the fate which was meant for you? Did you thank the man that took your place upon the cross? Did you turn your back, ashamed? I don’t know what you did after they called your name. But there are things I hope you did. I hope you fell to your knees at the foot of the cross, at the feet of your Savior. I hope you wept and called out to the Lord. I hope your heart inexplicably ached, too overwhelmed from experiencing the love of Christ. I hope you turned from your ways, and kept your eyes on the cross. 

Just as this man bore the death you deserved, so did he mine. I hope that I respond to the gift of his salvation in the way that I hope you did; with immense gratitude and the offering of my broken spirit and contrite heart.