Read Mark 15.
At the festival it was Pilate’s custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion…Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. (15:6-7,15)
The symbolism of the story of Barabbas is powerful and should not go unnoticed. Barabbas was known to be guilty and a murderer at that. Yet, Jesus took Barabbas' place on the cross. The nails intended for Barabbas were plunged into Jesus' hands instead. The torture, the mocking, the bullying which Barabbas deserved fell upon Jesus the Innocent.
We, as human beings, are all guilty. We have all sinned and we know it. When reading this story, we can't escape the fact that, of all the characters, we are most like Barabbas. We have been rebels, not against the Roman government, but against the holy God of the universe. If you or I were the one standing opposite Christ, the crowd would be just as wrong to choose to release us. My resume doesn't come even close to comparing with his! I deserved the nails and torture, not he!
God knows what happened to Barabbas after this point. Did he follow the crowd to the cross, realizing that Jesus had taken his place? Did he feel the earth quake, see the sky turn dark, and understand the power that his substitute had? Did he repent and believe? How could he not leave changed?!
As we approach the cross in this Lent season, we can't afford to be unchanged either. Consider your guilt to be earned, an offense to God - because it is. Consider Christ's substitution to be gracious, full of love - because it is. The greater we perceive the gap between our depravity and Christ's perfection, the more we will appreciate who He is and what he has done!
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
Thank you for the reminder of your gospel that this passage provides.
Before I knew you, I rebelled against you.
I considered myself as the center of the universe.
By my lust, I was an adulterer.
By my selfishness and mistreatment of others, I was a murderer.
But no longer.
Your perfect record replaces my tattered one.
By your grace, I am free from the shackles of sin.
By your power, guide me today into all righteousness.
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Join fellow Christ-followers in prayer and fasting during Lent (February 13 through March 31, 2013). Use the "prayer starters" each day and feel free to click "comments" to see how others are doing and share your own journey.
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What is "Lent?"
"Lent" has been celebrated by Christians for many generations. It is a time set aside for preparing our hearts to celebrate the greatest event in history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Traditionally Lent is the forty-day period preceding Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. Interestingly, this is actually 46 days because the western church doesn't count Sundays (as we are to celebrate the resurrection every Sunday).
How should I keep Lent?
We are asking the church family to spend time in prayer each day of Lent, thanking Christ for what He has done. In addition, many Christians practice some form of fasting during Lent.
What is "fasting?"
Fasting is a way to say "no" to self and to give renewed attention on Christ. If we simply do without food, we're only half-way there. We need to replace the time that we would have spent eating and instead spend that time in prayer.
Here are some ideas, but don't be limited to these:
Take 15 minutes out of each day reading the devotional on this blog and getting on your knees to pray to God.
Agree together in your Connection Group how you are going to celebrate Lent. Encourage each other to take a step of faith and talk each week about how it is going.
Take one meal a week and decide to deny yourself, spending the time, instead, reading the Word and praying. Maybe your Connection Group could divide up the lunches through the week - each taking a day. Or maybe you could each pick one day per week that you will all do it.
Fast from a specific food for the whole Lent season. Make it something that will trigger you to pray each time you reach for it. Don't "fast" from food to lose weight or from caffeine for your health. Those may be good ideas, but that is something you're doing for you, not with Christ in mind.
Fast from sunrise until sunset.
Fast from TV or something else that you'll give up and replace with seeking God.
Now get creative and talk with the other Christ-followers in your life for help, encouragement, and accountability ... and to share your joy!
Should I consider an extended fast?
For some, the season of Lent can be a time to surrender even more to God through an extended fast. This can be a 3, 7, 14, or 40 day experience (it is up to you and your readiness). If this is something that God is calling you toward, check out this site to learn more:
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx
There are all types of extended fasts that you can get involved in. Make sure you choose the right one for you, considering your health, schedule, and support system.
Father, thank You for taking my place on the cross. Thank You for knowing who You are and standing in confidence before the weight of this world's evil, for my sake.
ReplyDeleteDefender of my soul, please help me to stand in confidence, knowing who I am in You. Help me to proclaim Your truth in every aspect of who I am.
what a weird custom?
ReplyDeleteimagine if once a year we let people pick which death row inmate we wanted released?
i know which one I would pick.
NONE.
how much more bizarre that Jesus would for the joy set before Him purposefuly endure the shame and pain of the cross that i might escape the eternal hell of punishment i deserve?
praise Jesus!