The Italian actor Pietro Sarubbi, who portrayed Barabbas in Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion,” was actually converted in real life at the moment in the film when Pilate brought out Jesus to the crowds. The actor representing Jesus looked at Pietro. He subsequently wrote a book titled “Converted by a Glance” in which he testifies that, at that moment, he realized that Jesus was going to die for him though he was the offender and Jesus was innocent. The spotless Jesus would die for one who deserved death. He was Barabbas, the sinner being freed, and Jesus was dying in his place.


I am sure that Jesus Himself standing before the crowds would have looked at Barabbas with a look of unconditional love. Even a mere dramatic imitation of this glance broke
Sarubbi’s heart.


When Pilate brought Jesus out and said that he found Him innocent, he was bringing Him out, not only before everyone present, but also before each of us. As Jesus looks at us full of fathomless love, are we not also “converted by a glance”?