When the worst day becomes the best day

Today we look at a similar story, but the stakes are far far higher.

Roughly 2000 years ago a man went to bed in preparation for the worst day of his life, in fact the final day of his life. This man was schedules to be executed for his crimes the next day.

The court case was closed. The documents were signed, the time was set.

This mans name was Barabbis.

Matthew 27:15–16 KJV 1900

15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

That word “notable” is Epi-somos and it means INFAMOUS.

Mark 15:7 KJV 1900

7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

Luke 23:19 KJV 1900

19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

Who is Barabbis?

Barabbis is a justly convicted Murder, rebel, insurrectionist and all round bad person.

This is not am innocent man.

And for his terrible crimes he was sentenced to the just punishment of death by crucifixion.

Given that we now know through medical science that crucifixion is the worst way to execute someone, it is safe to say that Barabbis was going to have the worst and last day of his miserable life.

But instead something mind blowing happened.

Pilate, who had been handed Jesus to try, found Jesus completely innocent, but to satisfy the anger of the Jewish leaders made them an offer:

Matthew 27:17 KJV 1900

17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

Matthew 27:20–26 KJV 1900

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

What happened to Barabbas that day was a miracle of God’s providence and grace.

In case you dont quite figure it out, you and I are the Barabbas in our own story of salvation.

1: Barabbas experience complete underserved favor.

1: His life was the conclusion of wasted opportunities.

Barabbas means “son of a father”, which means that he was probably a Rabbi’s son.

This means that Barabbas grew up in a home where he was taught right from wrong.

This was a man who had every spiritual possibility to know God and serve him but squandered it all.

2: He was in this state because he broke the Law.

Not only did Barabbas break Roman Law, he always and more importantly broke God’s holy Law.

He killed, he lied, he stole - make no mistake: Barabbas deserved what was coming to him.

You and I are just like Barabbas.

God has given us opportunities to know him, to love him, to serve him - yet we chose self, we choose to rebel.

And just like Barabbas we have broken God’s law.

Have you lied? Stolen? Blasphemed God? Have you held back when God calls you.

Have you chosen pride and your way over providence and God’s way?

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We, like Barabbas, justly deserve the consequences for our sins.

But, by nothing but the grace of God, we, like Barabbas, have been granted unmerited forgivness and deliverance from our death sentence.

2: Barabbas experienced complete underserved blessings!

Barabbas spent what was supposed to be his last day on earth cramped in a depressed jail cell awaiting his agonising death.

But the next day he was at home, eating a good meal and sleeping in his own bed.

From day that everything Barabbas experienced was a blessing.

Every meal was a blessing that he didn't deserve.

Every night he went to bed was a blessing he didn't deserve.

Every conversation he had with his friends, family and loved one was a blessing he didn't deserve.

Every moment of joy and comfort till he died of old age was a blessing he didn't deserve.

Even on bad days, days of sorrow and loss - Barabbas was blessed that he could experience them and grow.

When you understand that you deserve death, but instead of death you got life and life more abundantly, all because Jesus did for you, just as He did for Barabbas - He died in our place - only then will you see the providential grace and undeserved blessings that manifest in your life every day.

John 10:10 KJV 1900

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

A christian who is unthankful is a christian who does not realise they are Barabbas.

3: Barabbas experienced complete underserved grace.

On that day when Barabbas’s life changed forever, what did he have to do?

Did he have to plead his case? No.

Did he have to pay back his debts? No.

Did he have to prove he was worthy of such grace? No.

All Barabbas had to do what walk, by faith in Pilate’s decree of his freedom, walk out the jail as a free man.

All he had to do was believe in his granted freedom and walk out.

My friends, nothing has changed.

Galatians 5:1 KJV 1900

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

“Para: Hold on, by faith, to the divine decree of your forgivness through the completed work of Jesus Christ as he died in your place on the cross”.

Barabbas did not ask Jesus to die in his place, and you did not ask Jesus to die in your place.

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Like Barabbas, all that needs to be done to come out of the jail cell of our sin is to stand, by faith, in the holy decree:

Romans 10:13 KJV 1900

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Conclusion:

Do you live and think and act and behave like a man on death row about to die, yet suddenly and undeservingly got set free?

Do you think Barabbas got upset when he had to do the dishes?

Do you think Barabbas got irritated when his wife asked him to take her to the park?

Do you think Barabbas waisted his new freedom getting angry at Stephanus when he pulled his donkey cart in front of him?

Ephesians 4:1 KJV 1900

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,