Barabbas' Pardon

A lesson on the release of the criminal Barabbas, in place of the only perfect, guiltless, and sinless man, the Lord Jesus Christ. In God's sovereignty over the narrative of redemption, we see pictured in today's passage a mirror image as it were of our own escape from death. On the one hand, Barabbas was a criminal and an insurrectionist who was due for crucifixion because of his rebellion against the Roman government. On the other hand our Lord had done no wrong whatsoever, yet stood in the place of Barabbas, and was put to death at the demand of the mob. We likewise were due to receive the just wages for our sins (that being death), and were mercifully released because the only innocent man who has ever lived took our place.
Like Barabbas who was released from the shackles of physical death at the expense of Christ and allowed to go free, we too were criminals held captative under sin and the power of the Law, awaiting the sentence of death. Our only hope is to yield ourselves to complete reliance upon the innocent man Christ Jesus, who stands in our stead and bears our guilt upon Himself. Are you relying on Him?