In 2004 the State of Texas executed a man for setting a fire that killed his three small children. The problem is he didn’t do it. Very exacting scientific analysis has since shown that the small wood frame house did not burn from deliberate arson. The accidental fire occurred early December 23, 1991 after the mother had gone to the Salvation Army to get Christmas presents for the children. The father was so anguished he had to be handcuffed to keep him from rushing into the inferno to rescue his children as he screamed, “My babies are burning up.”
As I read the story I thought of another innocent man who was executed. Our Jesus was cruelly and mercilessly mangled on a couple of wooden bars. The only harm He had done was to threaten the privileges of the establishment. I want to say the wrong man was on that cross. That was a cross for Barabbas. He was the murdering criminal. But it wasn’t the wrong man on the cross. If Barabbas had been executed you and I would still be hopelessly lost. We would most likely be trying to please God by our works, a hopeless task.
Because Jesus was sinless He was able to be our substitute. Just as that particular cross was for Barabbas there should be one for you and me. The Good News is because Jesus was there we don’t have to be there. Because He was innocent, He was the right man. Nothing else would have worked.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” II Corinthians 5:21
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 2, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
roger.bothwell.org