“But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!'” (Luke 23:18, NASB)
My bible study leader made what I consider a profound observation about the punishment of Jesus and the release of Barabbas. Jesus came as a substitute for our sins. He came to pay the penalty for our sin. Even in this final hour, a sinner, Barabbas, was set free while Jesus was sentenced to death. The one who deserved to die was set free. The one who deserved to live died. What a beautiful image of what Jesus’ death is for all of us. All of us deserve death. Jesus died to set us free. I will forever look at that exchange of sentence between Barabbas and Jesus as the exchange between Jesus and me.
Mary studied Mechanical Engineering as an undergraduate student. While studying she traded semesters working at NASA in Houston, Texas. It was while working at NASA that she felt the tug on her heart that God had another plan for her life. Upon graduation, Mary proceeded to serve as a missionary for the next 11 years of her life; she served in Greece the last two years of her service. Upon returning from Greece, she pursued her Master's degree in Counseling, which led to a job with a major university. It was while working there that God did what God faithfully does, she found herself working as an engineer again as she managed major construction projects for the university. She also pursued her Master's degree in Engineering Management and her Professional Engineering License. Mary now on her ministry and writing. When Mary left missionary service it was her desire to return to fulltime ministry one day. She had her first outline for a book in 1989 (a book she has yet to write). Her first book was published in May, 2014 with the second quickly on its heels in December, 2014. She continues to write and is developing an evangelistic series of books centered around Jesus Christ. Her prayer is that her books will bless others' relationships with our Father God and His word.