JESUS OR BARABBAS???

SCENARIO 2000 YEARS BEFORE:

Biggest trial ever! Court of Pilate! Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? They said, Barabbas.

So who was this Barabbas?

 

According to

Matthew 27:16 “Notable Prisoner”

Mark 15:7 “Insurrectionist, Murderer”

Luke 23:19 “Seditious, Murderer”

John 18:40 “Robber”  

•  He was a person who believed in self-redemption, not in redemption through a Messiah.
• He was an insurrectionist- A person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions).
• He was Seditious- Arousing to action or rebellion.

What Jesus tells about these qualities?

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” – John 10:1
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."- John 10:10

1. Meaning Of Barabbas- Son of Father.

 
"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him."-John 8:44 

2.Meaning Of Jesus- Savior. (Ironically, Son of God)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16

So the people chose son and denied Father.

SCENARIO 2000 YEARS LATER:

Every day of our life we confront this problem, Barabbas or Jesus? I find myself as one of the audiences then, shouting “Release Barabbas”. So maybe indirectly, even after 2000 years of this greatest trial ever at the court of Pilate, History is repeating.

So who is Barabbas in this generation?

 

• We can find our very self as Barabbas, the robber. Because like him our senses rob us of all that we could be.
• We do not believe or wait for his kingdom, we do not believe in his way of dealing with people.
• We are jealous when he is kind to others.
• We doubt his existence when affliction surrounds us.
• And in this whole process, we release our inner Barabbas, our rebel and crucify JESUS!

So Jesus died because we chose Barabbas?

• DID THE JEWS KILL JESUS CHRIST?
• DID PONTIUS PILATE KILL JESUS CHRIST?
• DID SATAN KILL JESUS CHRIST?
• DID THE SINS OF THE WORLD KILL JESUS CHRIST? 

                    NO!!!

•  IT WAS GOD'S AND CHRIST'S LOVE FOR HUMANITY THAT ULTIMATELY KILLED JESUS CHRIST.

 MESSAGE:

• ARE WE READY TO STOP CRUCIFY JESUS AND RELEASE HIM?
• He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
• Jesus is the way. He is our door towards everlasting Kingdom.
• Seek him.
• Stop rebelling.
• Stop following father of lies and follow Son of Rightousness.

• Just because of willing substitution of sinless Jesus, Barabbases like us go free. 
• God offered us our pardon. If we are still seeking back door, Just remember we are shouting, "Release Barabbas, Crucify JESUS!"
• He died for you,Barabbas! will you live for him?

 - GOD BLESS YOU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discuss: Can you recall those phases in your life when you felt you are releasing Barabbas and crucifying Jesus?so shall we refocus? I am eager to know how did those moments strengthen your walk with God?