JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Matthew 27:26.

Then Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Barabbas was a well-known prisoner at the time of Christ’s crucifixion. It was customary for Pilate to release a prisoner at the time of the Passover. That particular year, Pilate gave the crowd a choice between Barabbas or Jesus. And the people wanted Pilate to release Barabbas instead of Jesus.

The innocent man died, and the guilty man was set free. That is also the message of the Gospel. Second Corinthians 5:21 says that “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Through Jesus we are set free from the chains that held us captive.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com