A Guilty Criminal is Release, Unpunished

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly

beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us."

Ephesians 3:20 (NASB)

A Guilty Criminal is Released, Unpunished

The scene was a prison's death row. A young man cowered in the corner of his cell. His execution was scheduled for that day. His last memories on the face of the earth were destined to be of this cold, musty cell block.

He knew he was guilty. He was a thief and a murderer. He knew he was only getting what he deserved. But he was scared. He sat silently as he awaited his executioner, his mind jumping between old memories and shuddering thoughts of his soon death.

Suddenly he heard the jingle of keys and the slow, steady rhythm of the jailer's footsteps in the hallway. He was suddenly gripped with an icy feeling of fear and despair. His heart pounded. "This is it," he thought.

The jailer reached the cell, looked down at the young man and said, "Get up! You are free to go."

What? What was he hearing? Could it be true, or just a cruel trick?

The jailer said again, "You are free to go."

Could he believe it? Slowly he staggered to his feet and stepped cautiously past the jailer, fully expecting to be grabbed and thrown back in. But the jailer did not touch him. No one stopped him. He was free! But why?

As he left the jail, he noticed that the streets were packed with people. He now had an idea why he had been released . . . and he knew how he could find out.

As he went down the street from the jail, an old friend rushed up to him. "Hey, man. We heard you were set free. All the guys want you to come over to the club and celebrate. Come on. Let's go."

The young man declined. "No," he replied. "I have some place I need to go."

Then suddenly he heard the familiar voice of his little sister through the rumble of the crowd. "Mom and Dad sent me to find you," she said. "They have a great party planned. We are all going to celebrate. Come on."

"No," he told her. "I can't come. I have some place I have to go." He pushed on.

Finally, he made it to the center of the crowd. He tried to force his way through to the front, but his efforts were thwarted by the mass of onlookers. He could get no closer.

Someone shouted to him, "Hey, aren't you Barabbas? What are you doing out of jail?"

He glanced back to see who spoke to him. "Yes," he replied. "I am Barabbas. I was supposed to die today. I just wanted to see the man who took my place."

Author unknown.

TAKE AWAY POINTS TO CONSIDER

God-size opportunities...

so often I do not pray "big";

I settle for less, but God goes for "big.

now I pray for "BIG" results and I've stopped settling for less.

--A worker in China,

"Voices of the Faithful" by Beth Moore

"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NIV)