They made Barabbas stand across a man
who wore thorns for a crown.
It should have been him.
I watched them lash the man’s skin.
Seventy times seven.
Barabbas shook with laughter
as the chain in his hands unbound.
Sin.
Guilt.
Shame.
He took them.
I looked at Barabbas and cried
as he walked free.
Then I looked at the man
and found His eyes already on me.
And at that moment
I realized Barabbas was me.
Josephine May Grace Famoso is a lifelong learner of literature. She teaches literature at University of Southeastern Philippines.