Just Jesus Stories, Part 4
During the month of December my blog at perfectionroad.com deviated from the norm and has been devoted to “Just Jesus Stories” in celebration of Jesus’ birth. Each of these fictional stories is based on historical events in the life of Jesus. Their purpose is to encourage you to return wide-eyed to the gospels in search of things you may have missed. Read each gospel account again and again with fresh eyes that eagerly look through the eyes of every person in the story. See what each person saw. Feel what they felt. Lean into Jesus as you discover vibrant truths that continue to burst with eternal significance.
(a fictional account)
It had been the two longest months of his life. He couldn’t eat. He couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he saw two more looking back at him. Was it love he had seen in those eyes? Mercy? Forgiveness? Whatever it was, it wouldn’t turn him loose. Every thought, every word, every minute submerged itself beneath those two eyes with no way of escape. Barabbas had to go back. He had to find a way to understand how a man so innocent could go to the cross without so much as a word of defense. Maybe if he went back to where it all happened he could find some answers.
Without hesitation, Barabbas headed toward Jerusalem hoping the walk would help clear his mind. About a mile outside Jerusalem he approached a man headed home to Emmaus. Still submerged in thought, he took little notice of the other traveler walking toward him. Cleopas called out, “Shalom! It’s a great day to be alive, isn’t it?”
Barabbas snapped out of his trance, and murmured, “No, not really.”
At that moment, something inside Cleopas moved him to want to spend time with this man who walked as though lugging an invisible millstone.
“What seems to be the matter, Friend? Why so sad?” Cleopas asked as he moved in closer.
Barabbas stopped in the middle of the road, still looking down at the ground. “I’m just so very tired.”
Cleopas made a motion for the two of them to sit. After they got comfortable, Barabbas removed his head scarf, and Cleopas’ eyes widened. This wasn’t the first time he had been on this road and met someone he should have recognized.
Barabbas saw the look in Cleopas’ eyes. Realizing he’d been recognized, he moved to get up so he could be on his way. Cleopas grabbed his arm, and said, “No, Friend. Don’t go. I know who you are, and what you’ve done, but that doesn’t matter.”
Barabbas’ eyes began to glisten. “What do you mean? You know I’m a murderer, and it still doesn’t matter? Everyone knows what I am. All of Jerusalem knows Pilate released me, and killed an innocent man in my place! After I was released, I watched from a distance as Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha. I watched his body jerk and tremble when they drove those nails into his hands and feet. I saw him try to lift himself just to get a breath. That should have been me up there!”
At this point Barabbas’ heart broke, releasing all the guilt and anguish he had felt for days. He began to sob uncontrollably. “We were tired of the Romans having their way with us. I didn’t mean to kill that man. I went along with the revolt, but I never planned to kill anyone. It just got out of hand. I got caught up in all the anger. Jesus wasn’t guilty of anything, but I was; Pilate even said so. When he said I was free to go, I looked at Jesus.”
By now Barabbas could barely speak through the tears. “It’s those eyes I can’t escape. He looked at me as though he wanted me to be free. I just don’t understand how he could look at me that way.”
Cleopas put his arm around his new friend, and very quietly whispered, “Barabbas, Jesus is alive.”
Wiping his eyes on the sleeve of his robe, Barabbas looked at Cleopas as if he was insane. “That can’t be! I watched him die!”
“He did die, but on the third day, God raised Him up. I saw him alive on this very same road. A friend and I were making the same journey I’m making today. We were talking about all the events that had happened over the last three days when Jesus walked right up and began talking to us. We didn’t recognize Him until we got back home and invited him to eat with us. As soon as he broke the bread our eyes were opened, we recognized him, and then he disappeared. He revealed himself to His followers for many more days, and then we watched him ascend into the heavens, back to the Father. It was incredible! Barabbas, Jesus is the Messiah – the very Son of God!
Barabbas just sat there trying to take it all in. Even though the story seemed too amazing to believe, it was that look of love and compassion he had seen in Jesus’ eyes that convinced him it was all true.
Cleopas continued on, “Just before Jesus ascended, he told us all to go to Jerusalem, and wait for the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples gathered to pray when a mighty wind swept through the room. Looking around, we saw tongues of fire resting above each of our heads. The Holy Spirit arrived in an absolute blaze of glory. It’s that Spirit inside me that caused me to stop and talk to you. God wants you to know how much He loves you. I believe He sent me to make sure you know that. Do you believe all of this? Can you find a way to believe that Jesus really is the Son of God?”
Barabbas didn’t hesitate, “It’s the only thing that makes sense! Only someone from God could see me through eyes of love and mercy. But, how can I show my love in return?”
Cleopas answered, “Jesus himself told us there are two commandments greater than all the others. The first one is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second one is to love your neighbor as yourself. He also said if we love Him we are to keep His commandments. When our obedience flows from the thankfulness we feel from being set free, it proves we have accepted God’s grace and choose to live for Him instead of ourselves.
Barabbas, we all needed a life change, not just you. Jesus paid for our sins. We didn’t have to die on the cross, but we did need to die to sin. It’s time to let the old angry Barabbas die, and time for the forgiven, peace-loving version to take his place. Your love for God and His Spirit within you will lead you on the most incredible adventure of your life.”
For the first time, Cleopas saw Barabbas smile as he said, “I’m ready!”
(Taken from Everyday Heroes: Old, New, and Even You by Donna Jackson)
If you’d like to read Parts 1, 2, and 3 from “Just Jesus Stories” go to www.perfectionroad.com.
Donna Jackson
#donnajacksonblogs
