Note Card: The Other Son of the Father

Written on a 4x6 note card by Stan Julin.

[Blog Author's Note:  This note card contained some interesting thoughts, but it needed some editing for clarity.  What follows, therefore, are my father's thoughts, edited by me.  (Also, note that my father's references to "Ron" are to Ronald Hoffman, pastor of Circle Community Church.)]

October 26, 2007
What were the chances, when Jesus stood before Pilate, that Pilate would have in his custody a man whose name (Barabbas) means "son of a father"?  This was no coincidence, a wicked man crossing paths with him who is altogether righteous.  I remember mentioning this to a few people whose response was, "Humph."  Obviously, to them, the Son of the Father crossing paths with the son of the father was an observation of little value.  So I kept it to myself from then on.  But I noticed it again when Ron mentioned it in one of his sermons.  I will concede to Ron. 


Righteousness was crossing paths with wickedness.  I am glad that my wickedness was overpowered by the Altogether Righteous, the sinfulness of one who began sinful, without hope, becoming righteous at the cross, that Pivot Point wherein the Righteous became Sin for me and I became righteous in Him.  It was God's idea.  I never would have thought of it.  It is so fantastic that it has to be true.  We are so hopelessly lost with no idea what to do, so prone, dead in trespasses and sins.  But God...  He sent Jesus on a mission, a vertical mission to lift us, nailing our sin to the cross.