We are guilty as charged with murder and other sins, having incurred the death penalty by law unless someone redeems us by paying that penalty, pardoning our sins, and canceling our appointment with the executioner. Just as happened to Barabbas, the One who does this for us is Jesus Christ, our Savior. On that Passover day in AD 31, there was a guilty son of the father, Barabbas, and a totally innocent Son of the Father, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. As individuals, we are whom Barabbas depicted, the sons of our dear Father who did not measure up. When our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, stepped up to be crucified for us, though He should have been the one released, having committed no wrong at all, God also released the rest of His children who would call upon the name of Jesus and accept His sacrifice in our stead. Just as surely as Barabbas walked out of that prison a free man, Jesus gave Himself so we can also walk free. We have truly become the sons of the Father because of what Jesus did on our behalf. We have been released from the penalty of eternal death because our Savior and affianced Husband, Jesus the Christ, died in our stead. All of this came about when the true Son of the Father replaced Barabbas, who represents us all. Because of the gracious act of Jesus, the true Son of His dear Father, the iron shackles have been broken from us, and we walk about as truly free men and women. His sacrifice and resurrection make it possible for God to give us His Spirit, to bring us into His household, the Family of God.

Humanity's sin creates a profound separation from God, rendering mankind guilty and subject to His wrath and the penalty of death. As stated in Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death, confirming that all who sin are under this sentence. Romans 3:23 emphasizes that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, leaving no one righteous. Even a single sin places individuals on the negative side of the ledger, making them enemies of God with no human means to rectify the debt. Carnal humans, full of sin, cannot please God or erase their guilt through works, as sin perpetually accuses and burdens them. The only payment for sin, without divine intervention, is the sinner's death, which absolves the penalty by their life. Carnal men remain at perpetual war with God, unable to seek Him truly without His calling, as noted in John 6:44. God, as Judge, pronounces guilt and the sentence of death upon sinful mankind, creating a stalemate of guilt and divine justice with no peace for the wicked, as declared in Isaiah 48:22. However, God planned a solution from the foundation of the world, as Revelation 13:8 describes Christ as the Lamb slain from that time. The Father and the Son, hating the enmity between Them and humanity, devised redemption through the Son's voluntary sacrifice. Jesus Christ came to pay the price of redemption, breaking the impasse by giving His life as a ransom for many, as stated in Matthew 20:28. He served and sacrificed, dying a despicable, agonizing death to free captives of sin, clearing their guilt and offering a way to escape the penalty. Isaiah 53 vividly portrays this redemptive act, depicting Christ as the suffering Servant who bore the iniquities of many, was wounded for transgressions, and bruised for sins, with the chastisement for peace upon Him. By His stripes, healing is provided, restoring sinners not just to legal innocence but to a relationship with God. Isaiah 61:1-2 further illustrates His mission to preach good tidings, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives, and open prisons to the bound, accomplishing reconciliation. Through His blood, as Colossians 2:13-14 explains, Christ wiped out the record of sins against humanity, nailing it to the cross, thus covering sins and providing escape from guilt. Romans 5:1 affirms that, having been justified by faith, believers have peace with God through Christ, reconciled by His death and saved from wrath. Ephesians 2:14-16 reinforces that He is our peace, breaking down the wall of division and abolishing enmity through His flesh. Colossians 1:19-22 highlights that through the blood of His cross, He reconciled all things, presenting believers holy and blameless before God. Thus, Jesus Christ, called the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6-7, accomplished the ultimate act of servant leadership, creating conditions for peace with God and enabling growth in righteousness for those who believe and accept His sacrifice.