Trading Places

The Final Week – Friday:
“Trading Places”
Mark 15:6-13
Rev. Clark Lynn Callender, 3/28/10

In an article exploring the complexity of the Christian concept of salvation – the experience of faith in Christ, preacher John Ortberg makes the following observation – he writes:
“FTT — my wife first introduced me to those initials. Nancy was a nurse when I first met her. There were many parts of nursing for which she did not care. But she loved diagnosis. To this day there cannot be too many reruns of Grey’s Anatomy or ER to suit her. She is constantly telling me her private diagnoses of people — even total strangers - based on their skin and eyes. She can tell you how long you have to live if she gets a long look at your face and the light is good. It’s scary!
“But of all the diagnoses I ever heard her discuss, FTT is the one that sticks in my mind. Those initials would go on the chart of an infant who, often for unknown reasons, was unable to gain weight or grow.
“FTT - Failure To Thrive.
“Sometimes, they guess, it happens when a parent or care-giver is depressed, and the depression seems to get passed down. Sometimes something seems to be off in an infant’s metabolism for reasons no one can understand, so FTT is one of those mysterious phrases that sounds like an explanation but explains nothing.
“Failure to thrive.
“I didn’t know why it struck me as so unspeakably sad until I read Dallas Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines... Dallas writes that although we, as Christians, have tended to think of the word salvation simply in terms of forgiveness or the escape from punishment, it actually has a far more robust meaning for the writers of Scripture: ‘The more complete concept for salvation in the New Testament is “life,”’ writes Dallas. ‘I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly,’ said Jesus. ‘He that hath the Son hath life,’ it is written, “Even when we were dead through our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ.’
“This is the human condition. FTT – Failure To Thrive. Thrive is a life word... Thriving is what life was intended to do, like a flower stubbornly pushing through a crack in the sidewalk. It is why we pause in wonder at a human being’s first step, or first word; and why we ought to wonder at every step, and every word. Thriving is what God saw when he made life and saw that it was good. ‘Thrive’ was the first command: be fruitful, and multiply.
Thriving is what life was intended for. But this is the human condition: Failure To Thrive. Life kept from us. Well this is what Jesus came to correct – and what he wants all of us to receive. And this is what I would like to talk about this morning...

In our text today it is Good Friday of Holy Week. Jesus has been betrayed and abandoned by his followers, arrested and convicted by the unbelievers, and now stands before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, awaiting sentencing.
Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent – that he’s there purely for reasons of politics and power, so he attempts to skirt around this by putting the matter before the people. There’s a tradition of releasing a prisoner at the Passover to show the Emperor’s beneficence. And they just happen to have someone awaiting crucifixion: BARABBAS.
Now, it’s unclear what his specific crime is (since each gospel author describes him somewhat differently) but what we do know is that he’s a murderer and thief. At best a political zealot who has chosen the path of terrorism; at worst, a common thug.
Pilate gives the people the choice: Jesus or Barabbas. And much to his surprise they choose Barabbas; calling for Jesus’ immediate crucifixion. It seems this Jesus of Nazareth has truly disappointed them. So, while he knows that it’s wrong; Pilate lets the people have their way – and vainly washes his hands of the whole matter.
It’s a most curious moment, right before the crucifixion. I mean, think about it: Jesus could have been crucified without this extra step. Why is it included?
Well, part of it, I believe, is simply a demonstration of the tragically misguided choice humanity consistently makes – constantly choosing violence and political expediency over love and sacrifice. But even more, I believe this moment seeks to point us to the very HEART of what is about to occur. I mean, think about what takes place here:
Barabbas is a criminal – found guilty, convicted, on death row for his crimes. His situation is hopeless, there is nothing he can do. He is just about to receive the just punishment for his wrongs – death for death; when what happens? Jesus TAKES HIS PLACE. Barabbas has done nothing to deserve this, nothing to merit it; but Jesus takes the suffering and death that was intended for him – and Barabbas goes free!
And this, you see, is not just the story of one individual but meant to point us toward what Jesus is about to do for all humanity – an object lesson to help us understand what happens on the cross! That is:
Barabbas represents ALL OF US – sinners, guilty, convicted, and under sentences of death; for which Jesus steps in, takes our place – takes that death, that torture – though we don’t deserve this, have done nothing to merit it; but so that we might go free, free to live life anew, abundant! This text demonstrates what happens on the cross, embodies what Jesus accomplishes and offers. That what Barabbas experiences is what Jesus wants everyone to experience! All of which leads us to the “punch-line”:
What becomes of Barabbas? Does he take this as a fresh start and turn his life around to something good, a life of devotion to the God who has saved him - as some legends suggest? Or does he just continue in his current path, dying a few short years later for other crimes – having squandered this tremendous opportunity – as others insist?
We don’t know. The scriptures themselves are silent on the matter. We don’t know what became of him. And that’s the point, you see: The story is left deliberately OPEN-ENDED... to DRAW US IN! To say: This is what Jesus offered to Barabbas, this is what Jesus offers TO YOU – the way to life. Will you take it or lose it? Will you know LIFE in abundance or a FAILURE TO THRIVE?
What makes the difference?
I’d like to offer a few thoughts. And for the purpose of memory, think of it like this: ABC – What some call “The ABC’S of Salvation – of Life in Christ”: Acknowledge. Believe. Change.
(I)
First: ACKNOWLEDGE.
As mentioned, the scene begins with Barabbas convicted. A criminal found guilty and sentenced for his crimes and facing the very real, deadly consequences of them.
Now, obviously, if he doesn’t believe that he has done anything wrong, then Jesus’ substitution means nothing: it’s just another criminal being punished while he, rightly, is set free. But if, instead, Barabbas realizes his guilt, and what he’s rightfully facing because of it, then Jesus’ sacrifice means everything! He knows he is receiving something priceless that he could never have gotten on his own – and this can transform his life!
Basically, whether or not something great happens here hinges first on whether or not Barabbas sees his life as having gone wrong up to this point – if he recognizes how
he has been choosing against God and life. And this is where everything starts for all of us as well:
We first have to ACKNOWLEDGE how sin has hold of us – be convicted, sentenced, and awaiting judgment. That is, we have to FACE UP to how we’re rejecting God, choosing against life, and what it’s doing to us. We have to confess this to God and turn from it – not in some simplistic belief that if we admit our wrongs God will magically reward us and make everything wonderful; but rather, simply in the fundamental truth that this OPENS to us the DOOR OF LIFE – without which we are going in the opposite direction! Obviously: If there are ways we are going away from God and we don’t confront this, the rest is pointless!
You know, I’m reminded of the old story about the little boy who, one summer day, spent the afternoon playing in his backyard and making an awful mess. When his mother discovered it, she sent him to bed without his supper telling him he better ask God for forgiveness. The little boy went to his room and knelt at the side of his bed and prayed, “Dear, God, I’m really sorry for the mess I made in the backyard today. It’ll never happen again.” Then thinking a little bit, he added: “But PS: I want to thank you for the fun I had doing it!”
How badly do we want to get well?!
Essentially, salvation only begins when we recognize how far we are from it. When we say: “Lord, this is who I am, I see it, I face it, I place it before you. This is how I have been choosing against you – against life. Help me!” To acknowledge and confess our wrong and throw ourselves at the feet of grace! Until we cut through all the blame, and the avoidance, and the self-determination, we are hopeless! Whenever we lose sight of this, we lose the whole thing. As we’ve noted in the past – a poet once wrote:
“When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not shouting ‘I’m clean living.’ I’m whispering, ‘I was lost,’ now I’m found and forgiven.
“When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
“When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
“When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are far too visible; but God believes I’m worth it.
“When I say... ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not holier than thou, I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s grace somehow.”
First: ACKNOWLEDGE. Then...
(II)
BELIEVE.
Returning to the text: Barabbas is on death row. Suddenly, Jesus takes his place, his death - and not in just some abstract, theoretical way; but in a very real, tangible, personal way. Whether Barabbas accepts this or not, it’s still a FACT, a REALITY. And this points us to the second step here, namely:
To accept Christ’s gift of life as a FACT, as the true REALITY. That is: To know that, on the cross, Jesus took our place, took upon himself however DEATH is seeking to take life from us – either in those things we ourselves have done wrong, or in the ways sin has hold of all creation working pain and hardship - and that these things are now gone, they cannot touch us, they cannot keep life from us. It’s a fact – whether we believe it or we don’t. The wise person, obviously, setting themselves upon the truth!
To put it another way - as it is written: “Salvation comes by grace THROUGH FAITH.” That is: We don’t deserve it, we can’t earn it; but God, out of love, takes upon himself however death is seeking to keep life from us, and we receive this by simply setting our hearts and minds upon this as the unshakable truth of our existence.
BELIEVE! No matter what you’ve done wrong, it is forgiven! No matter who you’ve lost, they are not gone forever! No matter how hopeless your situation may seem, there is a tomorrow! No matter how many tears fill your eyes, joy is on the way! It’s a FACT! You can accept it or you can reject it; but that doesn’t change the reality – it simply changes whether or not it you get it!
You know, one day, a few years ago, so the story’s told, a young man was seated on a commuter train going to work. Unbeknownst to him, across the aisle was a clergyman reading the daily paper. The young man, a recent convert to Christianity, was gazing out the window in happy contemplation when he began quietly singing “Amazing Grace.”
When he came to the end of the first verse, the minister softly remarked, “Excuse me, but... I take it, young man, that you are a Christian.”
“Yes, sir,” the young man replied.
“Well how long is it since you were saved?” asked the minister.
“Two-thousand years, sir,” came the prompt reply.
“No,” said the preacher, a little annoyed, “I mean - how long since you yourself were saved?”
Again the new convert replied, “Two thousand years, sir.”
With this answer the conversation lapsed, and the minister resumed his reading. However, as the train pulled up to the station and the young man was about to leave, he stepped over and said, “Pardon me, sir, I don’t wish to appear a smart-aleck in my reply just now. It’s just that I meant what I said. I was saved two-thousand years ago... but it was only last week that I found out about it!”
It’s a done deal, folks! Set your heart and mind firmly on the fact that what happened 2,000 years ago was for you today – Jesus has taken upon himself however death is seeking to take life from you! It’s GONE! BELIEVE. And finally...
(III)
CHANGE.
Obviously, this is what the whole story of Barabbas finally comes down to: Will this tremendous opportunity he has received, this gift of new life, a fresh start, death taken from him, lead to NEW DIRECTION or be LOST to the same old path? Will it mean nothing to him – or everything?
The ultimate question for all of us.
Final point: Insist that it mean everything! Set your mind on what Christ has done for you - how he has taken death from you - and have that tangibly change how you live today, open life in abundance to you. Like Jesus on the cross: Instead of anger choose forgiveness; instead of selfishness choose sacrifice; instead of safety choose outreach; instead of despair choose hope! Live as a forgiven, hopeful, joyful, daring, loving, triumphant person - offering what you have received, living what you have been given.
In a book entitled It Had to Be a Monday, writer Jill Briscoe talks about the death of a Christian friend. During the funeral visitation, the deceased man’s wife and sister stood by the casket, greeting people. The sister kept motioning to her brother’s body, saying to each person who came to greet her, “There he is. There he is.” After some time, when the wife could stand it no longer, she turned to her sister-in-law and, in love, said, “Please stop saying that! If I believed, ‘there he is,’ I would be inconsolable, everything would be hopeless. But I have joy! Do you want to know why? Do you what to know what enables me to get through this day? What gets me through is that I know the truth: That because of Jesus Christ ‘There he isn’t.’”
With that, the woman and her sister-in-law embraced, rejoicing.

A great evangelist once said that the entire Christian faith can be summed up in just three phrases: I deserved hell. Jesus took my hell. Now I can live his heaven.
The story of Barabbas. Life offered where it was about to be taken away. The story of every one of us.
Acknowledge. Believe. Change. This Holy Week, focus your heart and mind on what Jesus did for you on the cross. Let him take your place - and set you free to live!