Jesus’ Passion Week: Our Savior’s Last Days and Ultimate SacrificeSample

Jesus Dies on the Cross

My husband had a heart attack when our kids were 5 and 2 years old. The paramedics, who arrived at the scene, thought he was having a panic attack at first because he was young and fit. Thankfully, they got him to the hospital in time and he made a full recovery! Afterwards, when we worshiped at church, my husbands’ eyes would often well up with tears of gratitude that God had spared his life. Everything felt like a gift—time with the children and me and the ability to pursue his vocation.

After Jesus was arrested, He was taken to the high priest and then to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor. There was a custom at Passover that allowed Pilate to release a prisoner of the people’s choice. “‘Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him” (Mark 15:9-10). The crowd shouted back, “‘No, not him! Give us Barabbas!’” (John 18:40). Barabbas had participated in an uprising and committed murder, a crime that carried a sentence of death. Pilate appealed to the people again to release Jesus, but they kept shouting “Crucify him, Crucify him!” Though Pilate could not find Jesus guilty of any charge, he yielded to the pressure of the crowd, freeing Barabbas in exchange for Jesus being executed (Luke 23:13-23; John 19:12-16).

First, the Roman soldiers flogged and mocked Jesus. Then, with the help of Simon of Cyrene, Jesus carried a heavy wooden cross to a place outside the city called Golgotha (Mark 15:22). There He was nailed to the cross next to two criminals. Darkness came over the whole land from noon to three. The curtain of the Temple was torn in two, representing how Jesus’ death knocked down the dividing wall that separated us from God. Finally, Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” and breathed His last (Luke 23: 44-46).

How surprised Barabbas must have felt when he found out that instead of the execution he was preparing for, he would walk free! Did Barabbas meet Jesus in person as their paths crossed and did they say anything to one another? Did Barabbas change the way he lived after being given a second chance? We are all Barabbas, the one who deserved death for his sins. Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Take a moment to ponder how much God loves you that He would send His Son to die in your place. How can you live a transformed life of gratitude for the gift of freedom you have been given through Christ?

Prayer: God, thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Help us grasp the depth of your love and sacrifice for us. By grace, we have been set free. We want to live a life that honors and glorifies you in all that we do. In Jesus’s name, Amen.