Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

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

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:

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?

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.

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.

“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.

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:

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?