Look at Barabbas and look at us!

 

There are many powerful lessons surrounding the death of Jesus Christ, but one great lesson we must not overlook is that of Barabbas. To appease the Jews during the annual feast, Pilate would release a single prisoner that the Jews requested (Mark 15:6). The Roman ruler was hoping to release Jesus due to His innocence, but the chief priests stirred up the crowd to request the release of Barabbas (Mark 15:11).  As a result, Jesus was crucified and Barabbas was set free (Mark 15:15).

 

What do we know about this prisoner who skirted his deserved punishment? According to the scriptures, this man was part of a rebellion that resulted in murder (Mark 15:7).  We are told that this man was a notorious prisoner (Matt. 15:16).  It is also clear that many knew this man and his reputation as Pilate thought the crowd would want this evil person remain in prison and have Jesus released. Unfortunately, the guilty person was freed and the innocent Christ was crucified (Matt. 27:21-26).

 

As much as this whole incident should bother us, it should also hit home. In a sense, each of us is Barabbas. By that I mean, Barabbas was a sinner yet Jesus went to the cross for him. My wording was intentional. You might think I should have said, Jesus went to the cross instead of him. That is also true, but Jesus died for everyone (John 3:16).

 

How should Barabbas have looked at Jesus? This is interesting. After all, he would not have been set free that day if not for Christ. He did not respect the law or the lives of others. Same as the evil people of our day, most guilty people during Biblical times would do everything they could to avoid punishment if they were caught breaking the law. We see no evidence that Barabbas was concerned about the false accusations made against Jesus – he only seemed interested in his own freedom at any cost. Regardless of whether Barabbas changed his ways after being freed and learning about Jesus, we need to recognize this lesson for ourselves.

 

All people are lost in sin (Rom. 3:23). We might not literally be behind bars for committing our sins, but we are still in a state of spiritual bondage (Gal. 4:3). Therefore, those who have not obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ are free to roam on earth, but they are on the run from God. However, there will be a day of reckoning (II Cor. 5:10).

 

Did Barabbas turn his life around after receiving a second chance? The Bible does not tell us. Statistics show that most people who are a prisoner today will return to prison in the future. If a person who is punished for his crimes is unlikely to learn his lesson, then it seems logical that a man like Barabbas who did not receive his full punishment will also be likely to continue to break the law.

 

What about us though? What makes us so different from Barabbas? He rebelled and murdered – are we guilty of the same? Yes! When we sinned, it was like we crucified Christ (Heb. 6:6). Any transgression can be called a rebellion against the will of God. How many of us look at Jesus and consider His sacrifice personally? For all intents and purposes, we are all Barabbas. We deserve to die in our sins without any hope. Then, here come a Savior who pays our debt without being asked! It was not something we earned or deserved (Rom. 5:6-11).

 

As we look to the cross, we need to understand that Jesus did what we could not do for ourselves. We use the expression “paying one’s debt to society.” Sin does not work this way – the only pay for the debt of our sins was through an innocent person – Christ (II Cor. 5:21). In other words, He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Let’s look at Barabbas, then look at ourselves and learn.

                                                                                          

   Chuck

 

Twenty things you should never hear from the pulpit

 

Many things are being taught in pulpits across the land that simply should not be happening. Perhaps fewer bad sermons would be given if more red flags went off in the minds of the audience.  If you hear the following in a pulpit, know that God’s word is being twisted:

 

1. Any false teaching (I John 4:1). “Mostly correct” is still wrong (Acts 18:24-24). This should not be tolerated.

 

2. Telling people exactly how much they are to give (I Cor. 16:1-2). Christians should not be told how much to give as that is left to individual Christians. Nor should they be told to tithe as this is part of the Old Law (II Cor. 9:7). This should not be tolerated.

 

3. Making assumptions on what one might have seen or heard, without verifying (Jn. 21:21-23).  We are told to speak the truth (Eph. 4:15). We are not to speak, then check it out, then retract. This should not be tolerated.

 

4. Teaching opinions as law (Rom. 14:1-3). No one has the right to bind his opinions on others. Christ holds all authority (Matt. 28:18). This should not be tolerated.

 

5. Making light of any sin (Gal. 19-21). Sin must be taken seriously. We should not make positive references to incorrect conduct we see in movies or TV (Rom. 1:29- 32). It does not

matter if these shows are fictional or not. This should not be tolerated.

 

6. Using people to your advantage (II Tim. 3:6). This sinful action is being done privately and publicly. As a young preacher, I was incorrectly told to use wealthier members as positive examples (I Thess. 2:5). This should not be tolerated.

 

7. To build oneself up (I Cor. 2:1-4). Trying to create an “image” or “persona” as a preacher and expecting to be treated differently than other church members is wrong (Acts 10:26). This should not be tolerated.

 

8. Speaking to embarrass or make fun of someone (Rom. 10:1-3). The last thing we want to do is hinder people from obeying (Acts 26:28). This should never be tolerated.

 

9. Anything that should have been dealt with privately (Matt. 18:15). Preachers should not “air their dirty laundry” or that of their members (I Tim. 5:19).  This should not be tolerated.

 

10. Promoting a product for a side business (I Pet. 4:11). The gospel message does not include advertisements (II Cor. 12:15-17).  This behavior need never be tolerated.

 

11. Promoting ungodly entertainment (Acts 20:20). To fit in with the world, act worldly. To be a light, one must not promote darkness (Eph. 5:11).  This should not be tolerated.

 

12. Inciting a rebellion against government (Rom. 13:1-7). You can hate sin without speaking evil of leaders (II Pet. 2:9-11). Such behavior should not be tolerated.

 

13. Threats to hurt people (Rom. 12:19-20). It is sad when people persecute Christians, but physical retaliation is not justified (I Pet. 5 2:21-23). This should never be tolerated.

 

14. Justification for sinful behavior in family (Matt. 10:37). Not preaching against something due to family ties is wrong (Acts 5:1-5). This action should not be tolerated.

 

15. That they have received “special” knowledge from God (John 16:13). The gospel is for all, and the message is understandable (John 8:32). Claims of special revelation should never be tolerated.

 

16. Lessons that are not practiced (Rom. 2:1-3). Preaching lessons that you do not try to reflect in your conduct is a double standard (Matt. 23:4). This should not be tolerated.

 

17.  Using personal testimonies to prove truth (Rom. 1:16). The gospel of Christ contains the power to save. Personal experiences are not needed because the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:45). This should not be tolerated.

 

18. Promising health and wealth to those who give financially (Acts 20:35). There is something wrong when Christians give and expect to be paid back physically (II Cor. 8:1-5). This should not be tolerated.

 

19. Words that promote prejudice (John 3:16). Those who do not believe the truth need not be hated – they need to be loved and taught the truth (Rom. 5:8). This should never be tolerated.

 

20. Filling sermons with stories and not God’s word (Col. 3:17).  The Lord gave the commission to go and preach the gospel. If a sermon is not primarily filled with the doctrine of Christ, it is not worth listening to (II John 9). This should never be tolerated.

 

What if one or more of these things are happening in the pulpit where you attend? The answer is simple – stop listening to it. Either the teaching in the pulpit must change or you must leave. You do not want to oppose God by endorsing error (II John 10-11). Consider these things during your next sermon.

                                                              

                                                                     Chuck