I have to admit, when Israel frees 1,000 prisoners (Some of the terrorists) for ONE soldier, I kind of scratch my head.  That is what happened recently for Sgt. Gilad Shalit who was held prisoner by Hamas for five years.  In some way the Israeli government and people were willing to trade 1,000 of their enemies for 1 of their own and it made sense to them.  I’m still scratching my head as were many in Isarel.  Those released were described as…

The swap drew an emotional response from some in  Israel because of the number and identities of the prisoners.

Among those being released are militants involved in  planning and executing suicide bombings in restaurants and on buses during the  years of the second Palestinian uprising, which began in 2000.

One woman, Amna Muna, was convicted of luring an  Israeli teenager over the Internet onto Palestinian territory, where another  Palestinian killed him. Another prisoner, Nasser Yateima, was convicted of  masterminding a hotel bombing that killed 30 people celebrating the Passover  holiday in 2002.

No wonder some were upset!  Then I read this as found in Romans 5:12, 15-18…

Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

What God did leaves me scratching my head more than 1,000 to 1 in Israel ever will!  God’s “exchange” makes much less sense than anything Israel… or any other nation… could ever do.  Consider…

ONE man’s trespass… Adam… resulted in the guilt of ALL mankind.

The ONE… Jesus… was perfectly sinless.

All deserve eternal condemnation.

The ONE… Jesus… was punished for the sins of the many.

Therefore the many… all who believe in Christ… are forgiven by God and granted eternal life (Freedom).

The ratio is ONE (Jesus) for an unknown number of condemned sinners to be set free.

I am one of that unknown number set free… and I scratch my head over why God would do such a thing.  The only answer I can come up with is that He is perfectly loving, merciful, gracious, and kind.