What would you say to someone whose faith demanded human sacrifice? Pagan? Deceived? Well we need to be mindful that as Christians our faith is based on human sacrifice, too. Ours, though was the one and done sacrifice of only one Man. There had never been before or since an unblemished person who could pay the price for us. John the Baptist proclaimed “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”1 Even in that moment he recognized Jesus’ role as God’s sacrifice for our sins. Had Jesus not been sacrificed for us, where could we find our salvation? How grateful I am that with His sacrifice the work was completed for all time. While reflecting on God’s sacrifice of His only Son, it occurred to me how often we think we would prefer otherwise when we consider His suffering. Jesus said, though, that “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up”2 in reference to Jesus’ death by the cross. The Lord inspired me to write and share the following:
Give Us Barabbas
Give us Barabbas…
I know if I’d been in that crowd
I’d have shouted right out loud
Give us Barabbas…
He’s a sinner just like me
Who through You may be set free
Give us Barabbas…
My sins they are so great
And they’re such a heavy weight
Give us Barabbas…
Jesus cannot be set free
His blood must be shed for me
Give us Barabbas…
As the tears stream from my eyes
I know Lord Jesus has to die
Give us Barabbas…
How selfish is my cry
Lift His broken body high!
Give us Barabbas…
In Your gruesome death my life
Let me claim Your sacrifice
Give us Barabbas…
My guilt and shame its true
Will soon be borne by You
Give us Barabbas…
Your blood is on my hands
You took the fate my sin demands
Give us Barabbas…
As I cry out for your blood
I know You’ve shed it out of love
Give us Barabbas…
Now You’re risen from the grave
That this sinner may be saved
I am Barabbas
I encourage you to reflect on this. Perhaps someone who has been musically gifted might be called to use this in furtherance of the cause of Christ.
1 John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
2 John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
In a dry and thirsty land 