They Crucified Him

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)

Who could ever write a devotional for Good Friday? The horror and majesty of the cross defy expression in simple words, forbid shallow reflection. The words are stamped indelibly across all of human history―and our own lives as well: “And they crucified him.” My King. My Savior. The Light of the world. God made flesh. The one at whose name all will bend the knee, by whose name all must be saved. The one to whom all glory and honor are due forsook all that was rightfully his and embraced all that was rightfully mine. Like Rembrandt in “Raising of the Cross,” we must paint ourselves into this scene, lest we miss our part. If you are looking for yourself, look no further than Barabbas. Barabbas, whose name ironically means “son of Abba,” awaits execution for insurrection. He has committed the crime, sedition, for which the Romans will shortly crucify the innocent Christ. And yet he receives freedom, reprieve―grace―when Pilate grants him the amnesty that should have been given Jesus. He walks away as Christ ascends the dusty hill of Calvary. He runs home to the open arms of his family as Christ cries out to a deaf heaven, to a Father who has forsaken and damned him. He gets a second chance because Christ was given none. The blows hammered upon Jesus’ back were meant for him. The nails should have held him on that tree. The grave should have embraced him. Instead it could not hold Jesus. Here is the message of the cross: what you and I and Barabbas should have suffered Christ suffered instead. He died for our sins. By his wounds are we healed. What should we do with a love like that?

In the midst of a global pandemic, it is easy to become myopic, to fix our weary eyes on our present circumstances only. Looking to the cross provides us with the opportunity to expand our vision, and in so doing, to shore up our faith. At the cross, God dealt with humanity’s greatest need—to be delivered from the wrath we so justly deserve. If God has done that for us, at great cost to himself, how could we not trust him even in these dark days?