THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:6-15
“Pilate released Barabbas to them.” (Mark 15:15)
In sports, a substitution is when one player steps in for another.
In this scene, we are witnessing the most important substitution.
The contrast between Barabbas and Jesus could not be more obvious.
Thankfully, Jesus is exactly the substitution we needed.
Jesus does not just step in for the guilt in my life.
He also steps in to the battle of life, to beat the deceiver for me.
Daily I am under attack, daily I am tempted and daily I mess up.
But every time the accuser starts shaming me, I simply point to Jesus.
Jesus silences the accusers taunts, because He won the game for me!
When I feel like a failure, when I am struggling with shame, Jesus steps in.
Even today, when I am feeling inadequate for the challenges of life, Jesus steps in.
Like Barabbas, I am released from the fear of judgment and death.
Like Barabbas, I am walking away free, free from Satan’s curse.
Today Jesus is encouraging me to rest in Him, and what He did for me!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I was losing the game of life until You stepped in. You’ve won the game with me and for me. The enemy cannot legitimately taunt me anymore, because with You we’ve won, and he’s lost!
The crowd was certainly different at this time. Instead of praise, crucify was their call.
And Pilate who knew the self interests of the chief priests, was a people pleaser. He listened to the crowds and the priests even though it was wrong. Which voice do I listen to? The one which pleases the people or the voice that tells me to do the right thing?
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thy erring children lost and lone.
2
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
3
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
4
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
5
O give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing power
A word in season, as from Thee
To weary ones in needful hour.
6
O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
7
O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!