FREE

Crucifixion day has past.  The brutality, mocking, and physical pain is done.  Jesus lies in a borrowed tomb, a tomb sealed tightly.

The scriptures don’t give any writing on much of the happenings during the next three days.  It is said that the women who followed to the sepulchre returned to their homes, prepared spices and ointments, and rested on the Sabbath day.    Otherwise, nothing is documented about anyone else.  My thoughts to follow will be purely my speculations and food for your thoughts.

Maybe the remaining eleven disciples of Jesus went on about their business.  Or maybe they talked quietly among themselves about what had occurred.  Maybe they discussed the fact that Jesus promised that on the third day, he would rise again.  Maybe they grieved that their master was gone.  Maybe some were ashamed that they didn’t stand up for Jesus when he needed them most.

The chief priests and scribes might have had some satisfaction that now the man who did miracles was finally in the grave.  They could have been looking forward to life in their government to be as it was before when they were solely in charge.  They could have thought (as our present day government does) that they know best and now they will handle things the “right” way.  Free now from that deceiver and blasphemer who stirred up the people.

How about blind Bartimaeus?  Before Jesus came, he was blind….now he can see.  

How about the lame man who had never walked before?  He would still be walking around the town.  

How about Jarius’ daughter who was dead but after Jesus came, she was alive again?  

And Lazarus, Mary, and Martha?   Maybe grieved that their friend Jesus was gone.  I would imagine they kept their hope.  

How about the woman with the issue of blood?  She but touched the hem of his garment and was made whole by her faith.  

On that day after crucifixion, these had to be sad that their Lord was in the tomb but they continued to be living testimonies that He is Lord.

The one person I think most about is one man who is mentioned only in one section of the story.  Going back a few hours before crucifixion, think about a murderer sitting in prison.  I would imagine he is sitting there, probably in bonds or shackles, probably a notorious murderer.  He knows it’s crucifixion day and his number is about to come up.  He is looking death in the face.  He hears the soldiers coming.  Their steps get louder and louder as they get closer and closer to the cell.  Imagine his thoughts as he thinks of what is to come.  Imagine the doors open, the soldiers remove the shackles and say, “Barabbas, you are free!  Someone else is dying for you.  Have a nice life.”  I would imagine Barabbas is dumbstruck.  He knows he’s guilty of a horrible crime, a crime worthy of crucifixion.  But what can this mean?  Someone is taking HIS place on the cross?  How can this be?  He’s not going to the cross?  He is free.  Free.  Free.  

I wonder what Barabbas was doing and thinking on this day after the crucifixion?  I try to imagine how I would feel if it were me and try as I may, I can’t even begin to imagine. 

If I really think about it, though, I can know what that is like.  Jesus died on the cross for me.  He took MY place.  Sin’s shackles may be bound around but Jesus died on the cross that I might be freed from those shackles of sin.   He died on the cross so that I might believe on him and be saved.  Saved from sin, washed white as snow, and bound to live with HIM in a heavenly eternity. 

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  John 3:14-17

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”  Romans 6:22

Freedom.  Lasting freedom.  Everlasting joy.