Taking Our Place Part 1 of 2

Mark 15:6-15 describes the incident in which Christ took the place of Barabbas on the cross. This stood out to me because I realized that it was a natural example of what Christ did for all of us when He died on the cross. He took our places.

During these times, it was customary for a chosen prisoner to be released  during the feast. This time around, it was Barabbas that was chained. The scripture says that he was chained with his fellow rebels for committing murder during the rebellion. When asked of they wanted Jesus to be released, verse 11 says “But the chief priest stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them”. Matthew 27:16 calls him a “notorious prisoner”. So, not only had he committed murder, he was known as a criminal. Nevertheless, the people chose to release him instead of Jesus. When Pilate asked the people what they wanted him to do with Jesus, they said they wanted Him crucified. Pilate even asked what had Jesus done to be crucified but the people just kept saying “Crucify Him!”. Pilate wanted to please the people. Verse 15 says “…and he delivered Jesus after he had scourged Him to be crucified”

Just as Barabbas, we too have committed sin. Jesus took our places when He died on the cross. I think Isaiah 53:5-6 describes it the best. Isaiah 53:6 says “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all”. We have all sinned. The price for our sin was death. However, that debt was paid and we can live free.

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