Having made
a decision to follow Jesus, too few young Christians ever receive any formal
mentoring.
Granted,
they pick up on the theology, tenants and traditions of our faith ‘hit and
miss’ as the result of sermons, interaction with clergy and seasoned lay
persons, etc., and I cannot discount the value of it. Nonetheless, having never
had a mentor in my own life, I perceive the inestimable worth in this
discipline, and have made a priority of reaching, keeping and teaching those
whom I refer to as “potential persons of excellence.”
In my
capacity as a pastoral counselor, it has been my privilege to mentor dozens of
young and not so young adults over the years, and to create a wealth of theological and
practical teaching resources.
Lately, I
have been teaching a topical series on the “9 Things a New Christian Should
Know and Do.” This week’s topic focused on the Communion, or Eucharist.
And as I was
engaged in a long-distance instant messaging session with ‘Nicole,’ who lives
in the great state of Ohio, (and in whom I have the most profound respect and
expectations for the future), and as we reached the bottom of Page 2, it ‘hit’
me.
“Then he (Pontius Pilate) released Barabbas to them.” (Matt. 27:26)
Of course,
anyone who has been ‘in the Way’ for long has heard this story.
The Jews had
handed Jesus over to the Roman governor for (a trumped up, quickie) trial, and
as a result Pilate attempted to barter with them; in order to secure the
release of our Lord. Surmising that if he offered to release a notorious
criminal, an insurrectionist and murderer, or Jesus, there would have been no
question of the logic of sending Barabbas to the cross; (rather than the notion
of his being freed, and suddenly in their midst once again).
Of course,
the Jewish leaders would have none of it. And thus, they shouted,
“Give us Barabbas.”
I had simply never seen it before.
Oh, of course I had read the words,
but I had never experienced the inspiration behind the words. And as Nicole and
I interacted, and I typed out one key stroke, after another, I wrote,
…”Barabbas is Nicole. And Nicole is
Barabbas.”
Pt. 2
Yes, indeed. Barabbas is Nicole (and)
Nicole is Barabbas.
But for that matter, Barabbas is Bill
(and) Bill is Barabbas.
And not to wear it out, but
…Barabbas is Insert Your Name
(and) Insert Your Name is Barabbas.
I have often wondered what the
condemned insurrectionist, Barabbas, after having been set free, did with his
life. Whether or not he realized how singular he was; having been rescued from physical death in God’s providential
scheme to rescue millions upon multiplied millions from spiritual death. We have been left no account of it, but I like to
think Barabbas experienced an epiphany and, ultimately, surrendered his life to
the Lord Jesus Christ.
I think he might have exercised an inestimable impact on his generation, and led countless persons into the arms of the Savior.
I think he might have exercised an inestimable impact on his generation, and led countless persons into the arms of the Savior.
Old Testament scripture is clear about
the providential, prophetic plan of God which was manifested in the sacrificial
life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Like Barabbas, each and every person
who was ever conceived and privileged to experience life on this earth was born
into sin; and they needed a Savior.
Granted, you and I may have never
committed a hideous sin, as Barabbas did, but each and every one of us have
inherited what might be referred to as a ‘Sin Gene.’ For you see, our first
parents, Adam and Eve, yielded themselves to the evil one, and spiritually
infected, as it were, their immediate and extended family; even to this very
day.
But while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us, and in so doing voluntarily accepted the punishment intended for
you and me. And as a result, God raised Him from the dead and set Him at His
right hand; to rule and reign forevermore, and to judge the quick and the dead.
Yes, Barabbas is Bill (and) Bill is
Barabbas.
by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending
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