In what ways are we in “Barabbas’s shoes”? 532-2 - 17 - 7

Luke 19:40, “And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Although the stones that would cry out should the people hold back their praise is not an idiom for Christ, the passage is very revealing.In the movie "The Sobbing Stone" there were a variety of strange sounds emanating from a plain gray stone. Various scientific groups tried to determine what the sobbing was but were unable to record it. One by one the various scientists would stay up all night listening for the sobbing and each began to be haunted by the sound. Some of them thought there was something very familiar about the sounds but just couldn’t quite place them.The sobbing stone had been lying under the cross at the time of the Crucifixion and a variety of sounds including the voices of people surrounding the cross were imprinted on it. Early in the movie there was a drip, drip sound coming from the stone; the sound of the blood of Jesus falling on it. Later in the movie the various scientists could hear audible voices and realized that it was the crowd around the cross, saying, “Crucify him, crucify him.” Psalm 22:15. “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” Then came the realization that the voices they heard were their own. Jesus was crucified for all the sin that ever were, and that ever will be. Jesus was and is our propitiation.

In his commentary, CM pointed out that “Barabbas” means “Son of the Father” and included John 5:43, “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” I’ve always thought of this "another one" as being the Antichrist, however, here Jesus was crucified because the people chose Barabbas over him.

Barabbas was guilty and rightfully condemned to death. Barabbas knew that Jesus who was to die in his place was innocent. As it was for Barabbas 2000 years ago so it is for us today; Jesus paid the price for our sins. Ephesians 2:7-9, "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

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