Let’s Not Waste Our Lives

March 23, 2018

DAILY READING

John 19:30

This weekend’s reading: John 19:30

FIELD NOTES
On the cross Jesus cries out, “It is finished!”

Earlier on Good Friday, also known as Black Friday (the day Jesus died on the cross), the crowd was given a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Matthew tells (27:16) us that Barabbas’ first name was Jesus and that he was a notorious prisoner. Mark 15:7 and Luke 23:19 tells us that Barabbas was a murderer and an insurrectionist. John 18:40 tells us that Barabbas was a bandit.

The crowd thus has an interesting choice: Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Barabbas, Jesus the righteous or Jesus the revolutionary, Jesus the saint or Jesus the sinner. They chose to kill Jesus of Nazareth and set Barabbas free.

What happened to Barabbas afterward? Some traditions say that Barabbas’ life was changed thus that he did not want to waste his life knowing that it cost the life of an innocent man. Some traditions say that Barabbas could not die until he voluntarily surrendered his life to God. Some traditions say that he died on a cross saying, “It is finished. Into your hands, I commit my spirit.”

Jesus’ life and death were entirely for you and me. Thus, I hear Barabbas saying, “I hope we don’t waste our lives knowing that it cost the life of Jesus.” Paul put it this way, “…run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• What parts of your life have you wasted?
• If you do not want to waste your life knowing that it cost the life of Jesus, what will you do differently?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• What are some things we waste around the house?
• What are we losing when we waste these things?
• How could we better use what we have without wasting anything?
• Answer the same “Questions for the Field.”

PRAYER GUIDE
Most loving gracious Lord, you give us life and so many things to sustain our lives and enjoy our lives. Lord, help us to live our lives such that we persevere in our race of life. Help us to no longer waste anything but use all of life to glorify you. In your gracious name, I pray. Amen.