Beyond Body Doubles
They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now, Barabbas was a robber. (John 18:40)
Jesus will always choose to trade places with a sinner. In 2012, the financial news outlet Business Insider reported that extremely wealthy individuals have avoided prison terms by hiring body doubles. This included a wealthy demolition company owner who illegally demolished a family home. When the business owner was charged, authorities discovered that he had hired a body double to see out his sentence in jail. In another case, a wealthy 20-year-old was drag racing his friends when he horrifically struck and killed a pedestrian. Although the driver received a prison sentence, the man who appeared before the judge was not the driver; instead, it turned out that it was a hired body double who faced the judge. This criminal practice has become so common in one country that it now has the term: "substitute criminal." As shameful and cowardly as this practice sounds, Christ's death reminds all Christians that 2000 years ago, someone became our substitute and willingly accepted the punishment that all humanity deserved.
The Apostle John pays particular attention to the self-proclaimed Messiah Barabbas, a thief who incited rebellion and cruelty. John depicts Pilot's futile endeavor to arouse a sense of justice within the conscience of the tumultuous crowd. Pilot had Barabbas intentionally stand side-by-side with Jesus, the robber by the Redeemer and the murderer beside the true Messiah. The contrast was clear: Barabbas is the sinner, and Jesus the Sinless Lamb. However, to Pilot's astonishment, the crowd demands Pilot to free Barabbas and crucify Jesus. Jesus unjustly becomes the substitute criminal for Barabbas, but not only Barabbas; Jesus is also our substitute.
If you question God's love or wonder if your sins are too great for Him to forgive, let Jesus' trial remind you of this simple yet profound truth—Jesus will always desire to trade places with you. Through His sacrifice, Jesus took our death so that we could receive His life. The classic book Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing says, "But the sinless One has taken our place, though undeserving, He has borne our iniquity." No matter how undeserving you may feel, Jesus is your body double, and He chose to take your place so that you can receive His grace through His death and resurrection. Now, that is news worth sharing!
REFLECTION
How does the idea of "substitute criminal" help us relate to the biblical narrative of Barabbas being substituted by Jesus?
What are the implications of Jesus willingly taking the place of Barabbas and every sinner on the cross? How does this act of substitution impact your understanding of grace and redemption?
Reflect on your own life: In what areas do you struggle to accept the reality of Jesus as your "body double," willingly taking your place in bearing the consequences of sin? How might embracing this truth transform your relationship with God and others?
