Preparing Our Hearts for Easter: Day 8

An article by Frank    No Comments

In the lead up to Easter we will be putting up a new lent devotion each week day. These devotions will also be available in the discussions section of our Facebook page and will be played on New Zealand’s Rhema.

In John 18, before the Crucifixion of Jesus, Pilate stands before the people and offers them the chance to free Jesus or the criminal, Barabbas.

Unconfirmed tradition has it that the first name of Barabbas was also Jesus, and Barabbas means “son of the father”. With this understanding, the people were presented with two alter egos, both being “Jesus, son of the father” – both children of God but one representing humanity and our desire to rule ourselves, rebelling against God – the other, a human who fully embodied what it meant to live the life God intends for us, service, love, forgiveness, sacrifice, drawing people towards the reality of God and living out the values of His Kingdom. The people chose the one that represents our own fallen humanity.

We are faced with this choice all the time, do we choose the way of Jesus or the way of the fallen son, broken humanity? Do we pursue our own selfish desires when there are other options that are clearly better but might hurt us a little, whether it is hurting our pride, our wallet or something else?

The best option, the option that embodies the upside-down values of God’s kingdom isn’t always easy, but it is the best.

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, let’s stop and evaluate the options we face every day and let’s challenge ourselves to live the choices that we know best embody the life of Jesus, even where those make us feel uncomfortable.
Here’s one – next time you walk past someone asking for money in the street, stop and say hello – just ask them their name. It may not be easy, but it is a choice for Jesus, not Barabbas.

Pray

Jesus, every time we are faced with a choice, help us choose you.

Amen