Jesus Died To Take Our Place | Why Did Jesus Die? | Week 3

“Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. ‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’ asked the governor. ‘Barabbas,’ they answered. ‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ Pilate asked. They all answered, ‘Crucify him!’ ‘Why? What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’ All the people answered, ‘His blood is on us and on our children!’ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
Matthew 27:15-26 NIV

As we lead up to Easter, try practicing a prayer of self-examination. You can do this as you’re beginning your day or ending your day. As you begin, ask God to search you. Here are some questions you can ask God and bring into a time of prayer:

• Where was I most aware of God’s presence today?
• When did I experience the most joy today?
• Where did it feel like God was absent?
• When was I the most drained?
• When did I experience God’s love? When did I love someone out of the outpour of that love?

Grab a couple of friends and spend some time in 1 Peter 1. Maybe commit to memorizing 1:18-19 together. Ask, pray, and journal about these questions:

• Who is speaking? Who is being talked about?
• What is the subject or object? What comes before and after? What are the circumstances? What’s the atmosphere or emotion of the text? What keywords or phrases are being repeated? What 2-3 themes or ideas do you see?
• When is this taking place?
• Where is this taking place? 
• Why is the author praising God? Why did the author write this letter? Why would the author call the recipients to holiness?
• How are people responding? How is the recipient expected to respond?

I was serving on a typical Tuesday night with our middle school Student Ministry. I was introduced to a new middle school girl who was very quiet and shy so I stuck close to her throughout the night to make her feel comfortable. I sat next to her during the game and it was one of our “gross game” nights that middle schoolers seem to love – unfortunately for us leaders! Leave it to middle school boys to think pickled pig’s feet and sardines are so fun to eat! I realized the odds of this new girl being chosen to eat something gross were so low. Regardless of the odds, I had already made up my mind that I would eat the gross thing for her so she wouldn’t have to.

Lo and behold, the music stopped on her and I knew she was the “chosen one” for a can of sardines. I could see her eyes well up with fear and I quickly said, “Don’t worry, you don’t have to! I’ll eat it for you. It’s okay!” You could see the relief just cascade over her and she said a very grateful, “thank you!”.

Thinking about Jesus taking our place made me think of this story. Now of course I realize it’s nothing compared to what Jesus has done, it’s only a small picture. But the emotional part of this tiny image for me is the moment of pre-deciding. I knew how she would respond and I pre-decided to be her substitute. I think about Jesus being a part of creation and creating Adam, knowing what was to come and still saying, “I’m already deciding to be your substitute.” Before you were even a thought, I think Jesus knew you and knew he wanted to take your place. What overwhelming love that Jesus would take our place and be our substitute! 

Blessings,
Lydia Long