Years ago, I watched the 1935 movie adaptation of Charles Dickens’ historical novel, “A Tale of Two Cities”, set in Paris and London. I was not familiar with the story, but was quickly swept into the 18th-century French Revolution’s chaotic battle between good and evil so aptly described in the story’s opening sentence:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”.

Dickens’ gripping story vividly depicts the struggle between good and evil, with the main characters facing difficult choices forced upon them by the despair and death that threatened to destroy all hope and goodness from their lives.

The story concludes with a riveting display of sacrificial love when Sydney Carton, a cynical drunkard, finally finds purpose by giving up his life on behalf of his imprisoned friend, Charles Darnay. As Canton is led to the guillotine in Darnay’s stead, his final words proclaim the triumphant power that love and sacrifice have over evil.

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.”

In many ways, “A Tale of Two Cities” is an allegory for redemption and transformation, which is especially depicted by Carton’s ultimate sacrifice of his own life for the greater good. For days afterwards, I pondered the depths of human love that can motivate a person to lay down their life for another.

In the Apostle Matthew’s account of the last days of Jesus we find a different prisoner exchange that took place, one motivated by the ultimate love of all time. (Matthew 27:11-26.)

When Jesus was brought before Pilate, the Roman Governor, he discerned that the Jewish religious leaders had handed him over out of envy. Plate’s custom during the Jewish Feast of Passover was to release a prisoner from his death sentence, one chosen by the people and given complete freedom instead of punishment.

Believing that Jesus was innocent and had done nothing to deserve death, Pilate declared this to the crowd and then asked them who they would like him to release – Barabbas, a notorious prisoner, who was an insurrectionist and murderer, or Jesus. Matthew records that the religious leaders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

Though Pilate proclaimed Jesus’ innocence, the people shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” The people had spoken. Barabbas was released to freedom and Jesus was flogged and then handed over to be crucified.

What must Barabbas have been thinking when the prison guards came to get him? As they loosened his chains and led him out from behind the prison bars, he would have fully expected to get exactly what the judgment against him demanded – death.

Instead, he was undoubtedly shocked to discover that his punishment of death fell on Jesus Christ. Jesus had become his substitute, literally laying down his life for Barabbas.

Barabbas represents all of humanity – we are all in need of redemption. The struggle between good and evil that Dickens depicted still rages on. John 8:34 tells us that “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin”.

We are all Barabbas. I am. You are. We all need a Savior.

The name Barabbas means “Father’s son”, which is very symbolic. The Son of God died that the sons of Father God – all of mankind – could go free.

The truth is that not one of us can do anything to earn God’s forgiveness and mercy. Barabbas did not deserve the mercy he received. This so beautifully depicts the depth of God’s love and the power of Jesus’ sacrifice on behalf of each person.

Jesus died as our substitute. The Apostle Paul proclaims that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”, (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Each one of us is on a path to destruction, separated from God by our sins. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Just as Barabbas received mercy and was set free from the penalty of his sins, Jesus Christ has provided mercy and redemption for each of “Father’s sons or daughters”. Our prison door is opened when we humbly ask God to forgive us of our sins, admitting that we need a Savior, a substitute – that we need Jesus.

Such mercy! Freedom from guilt. From bondage, Freedom from fear of death.

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”, (John 8:36).

Michelle Smith serves alongside her husband, Gary, as part of the leadership team of New Life Christian Fellowship. She founded Purely Women Ministries with the purpose of helping women of all ages discover their true identity as women of God. She can be reached at michelle@newlifealpena.org.