Lent 2021 - TURNING POINT

Sunday, March 21st

Barabbas!, Matthew 27:15-26 - Written by Lori Morrison

 

 

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.  At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas.  So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”  For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.  While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”  But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.  “Which of
 the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.  “Barabbas,” they answered.  “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.  They all answered, “Crucify him!”  “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.  But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”  When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the  crowd.  “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said.  “It is your responsibility!”  All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”  Then he released Barabbas to them.  But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.  Matthew 27:15-26
 

Barabbas, a notorious murderer, stands beside Jesus, the innocent.  Pilate gives the crowd the
decision as to who should go free.  Barabbas is set free and Jesus is found guilty, sentenced to death. This foreshadowing is placed here so that you and I can identify with Barabbas as a sinner, guilty and bound to a life in bondage.  We may say, “I’m not Barabbas, I haven’t murdered.”  Maybe not.


However, humans are born naturally bent to sin.  We all fall short of God's will, interfering with His plans when we implement our own.  Sin bears consequences, some heavier than others, and all sin separates us from God.  When we confess our sin, turn from it and ask for Jesus to take it to the cross as he did for Barabbas, we are given pardon, paid for with His blood and can move forward into a new life saved by grace.

 

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