"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Thursday, March 14, 2024 - Day 74 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Deuteronomy 26,27; Mark.15:1-26)
BARABBAS INSTEAD
And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Mark 15:14-15 ESV)
Not much is known about Barabbas other than that he was a murder who had participated in a Jewish uprising against Roman tyranny (Luke 23:19). Nothing is known of how he responded to being released instead of Jesus. We can only imagine his relief to find himself free... free from the just penalty for his crimes.
This is exactly what Jesus has done for you and me. He has taken our place and paid the price for our insurrection against God. Hanging on the cross, Christ cried out the words that should be on our lips eternally in hell: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34 ESV)
This is so hard to understand.
● How could God the Father love sinners like us so much that He would send His only Son to the cruel cross?
● How could Jesus love us so much that He would take the terror of hell on Himself so that all people of all time could go free?
It was just mentioned that all people could go free because of Jesus and His cross. All could, but few do. Jesus paid the price for the sins of all people. We who have been given the wonderful gift of faith, forgiveness and the promise of heaven have a job to do:
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16 ESV)
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You so much for taking my place and for freeing me from the punishment I deserve. Fill me with such thankfulness for this gift, and with such love for those who do not have it, that I live the rest of my life sharing Your great love with as many fellow sinners as I can. Amen.
Remember what Jesus has done for you, and share Him with others!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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