As the New Year comes in I often reflect on the past year and am reminded of all the marvelous things God has done. This past year is a little harder to let go of, especially having enjoyed an amazing trip to Israel with my wife, Suzy, our daughter Maddy, and our son Gabe.

While we stood near the Essene Gate, at the steps of a very impacting event in history, I was emotionally overwhelmed. This was the very place where Pilate had brought Jesus outside of the city to present Jesus to the people hoping that they would choose to have him released over a notorious criminal named Barabbas. But the chief priests and elders had persuaded the multitude that they should ask to release Barabbas and destroy Jesus. (Matt. 27)

The setting is quite serine, with beautiful green grass and scrubs presenting itself as a place of solitude without disturbance. But, it was as if you could still hear the shouts of the people, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” I wanted to shout back into time, “stop, you don’t know what you are saying, He is innocent, it is Barabbas that is the guilty one, not Jesus.” “You are being mislead by these religious men, who are only self serving, STOP THIS INJUSTICE!” But it was not to be.
Pilate washed his hands of the mess, had Jesus scourged and order the soldiers to lead Jesus away to be crucified. After the scourging they stripped Him, put a scarlet robe upon Him, pressed a crown of thorns into His head, put a staff in His hands as a scepter then mocked Him, spit upon Him, and hit him on the head with the staff. Then they ripped the robe off of Him, put his clothes back on Him and lead Him away to be crucified.
Truth is, He endured all of this for me. The price of sin is something I can’t pay. There must be the death of an innocent one to set the guilty one free. It was by Jesus’ brutal death on a cross that I was set free from my sin. I was set free when I asked Jesus to forgive me. Ashamedly, I am the guilty one; I am the Barabbas in the event. Why did He do this? What motive did He have to endure this horrific cost for me, the guilty one? He loved me. Oh, how He loves me. Now I love Him too!

Uniquely, the gate that Jesus was lead away through is not accessible, it has been replaced by a rock wall. In fact, my daughter Maddy pointed out while we stood where Pilate stood, “look Dad, this wall prevents anyone else from taking the path that Jesus took; it was only taken by Him.”

I wept, and wept and wept. I find myself weeping again, and again each time I recall standing in that serene place. Being reminded,

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Wondering what 2011 may bring?

May our love and devotion for Jesus deepen significantly during this New Year.

Ron Heath