God's Valentine

Barabbas. Are you familiar with that name? Not much is known about him from the Bible. He was a notorious( well known, infamous) prisoner. Apparently he led a rebellion against the Romans and was responsible for murder. He was imprisoned at the same time as Jesus of Nazareth.
He deserved death but received release when Jesus died in him place! I wonder how he felt. Surely it made no sense to him. He knew that he was GUILTY. Perhaps he had heard Jesus preach or even been there at one of the miracles. It must have been obvious to him that Jesus was a holy man. How could they kill Jesus the innocent and set Barabbas the guilty free?
But that is the radical message of the gospel. God's love was not just empty words. He laid His love on the line in offering Jesus in a sacrificial death while we were still sinners. He cared enough to give the very best to buy us back. Now that is the ultimate Valentine.