“Every Christian is both a Simon of Cyrene and a Barabbas. Like Barabbas we escape the cross, for Christ died in our place. Like Simon of Cyrene we carry the cross, for he calls us to take it up and follow him.”
— John Stott
Stott’s point is even more powerful when we note that the name “Barabbas” means “son of the father.” One “Son of the Father” is innocent and the other “son of the father” is guilty – but the innocent Son dies that the guilty son might go free. It is a perfect picture of substitution.
Further the name “Barabbas” is totally generic — *every* man is the son of his father. In other words, every “son of the father” should be invited to trust Jesus as his substitutionary sacrifice. All are welcome.
Simon reminds us that the cross is not just an objective transaction, carried on outside of us. We must *participate* in the cross. We must make the pattern of the cross our way of life. We must take up the cross and follow Jesus. The cross does not just deal with objective legal guilt, but with personal moral corruption. The same cross that brings about our forgiveness also ensures our transformation – and it is impossible to have one without the other. We cannot be Barabbases, set free from condemnation, unless we also become Simons, taking up our crosses daily.
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