Rescue Stories: Rescued from Doom

King James Version Chapter 27

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. 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? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 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.

The Passover Pardon

King James Version Chapter 27

15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would

 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would

Analytical Bible Expositor: Matthew 3. The Choice in the Court (Matthew 27:15–18, 20–26)

Roman custom was to release a prisoner to the people at the annual Passover feast. The people were permitted to make the choice of the prisoner. This custom was obviously to help keep control of the people during the Passover celebration when Jerusalem and Judea would be teeming with many visitors. Rome was always afraid of a riot at such times and releasing a prisoner would help appease the people.

The Prisoners

 “And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.”

Barabbas Character

Reputation “notable”

His reputation was that of a notable one. Not someone you would want to be around.

Rebellion “ insurrection”

You may be nothing like Barabbas and you may not be. Perhaps you may think you are not rebellious but friend any time you do not obey the voice of the Lord you are rebellious.

If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers. 1 Sam 12:14-15

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Barabbas Conviction

Robber “Now Barabbas was a robber”’

We don’t know what he stole but we know he was a robber. And I have to believe that since Jesus was crucified with two thieves that perhaps Barabbas knew them.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc

In many was we may not be thieves but in some ways we may be. Any time we take something that does not belong to us even an ink pen that’s stealing. Have you ever taken extra time at work for breaks or lunch? That’s stealing. Do you ever Rob God?

Murderer “who had committed murder”

This one may be more difficult to relate to however I would argue we are all murderers. Don’t think I am crazy just yet, hear me out. Let’s me remind you of the three things that held Christ to the cross. 1. A submission to a divine will 2. A saviors love 3. A sinners sins. Every time we sin we strike the spikes that put him on the cross and press the crown of thornes deeper into his head.

“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you”

Acts 3:13–15 (POSB KJV Ac): No man is exempt from God’s love; no man is exempt from the death of Jesus. Every man’s sins are covered by God’s love and Jesus’ death. Therefore, every man—in all the arrogance and rebellion and denial of his sins—delivered Jesus up to the cross and killed Him. It was for my sins He died. It was my sins that put Him on the cross.

Jesus Character

Perfection

Spotless Conception

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.”

“ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

The Virgin Birth is most Vital because we must know that his conception is heavenly and not earthly, of God and not man

Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew C. Virgin Birth Significance

First, with God as his Father, he did not inherit Adam’s sin nature, as have all other men and women in the world who have two human parents. Thus, he could be the “spotless lamb,” the unblemished sacrifice that would satisfy God’s judgment of sin. Anything less than perfect is not good enough as payment for our sin. Jesus was sinlessly perfect.

Second, because Jesus is God, his becoming a human, his perfect life, and his sacrificial death are actions of God involving himself personally in the solution to our problem. God did not just sit back and shout “I love you!” from the heavens. Nor did he send someone else as a messenger or servant to do the work. God himself became one of us! Only God himself could satisfy his own standards of perfection. Only God could offer himself as a full payment that would satisfy his own righteous demands, fully appeasing his own wrath against our sin. God, the judge, passed the death sentence against us; then God, the Savior, came down to stand in front of us and absorb that sentence himself. This could not have happened if Jesus had been born of a human father.

Third, because Jesus is human, he qualifies as a representative of the human race, a mediator, before God (see Heb. 4:14–5:3; also Rom. 5:12–21). It would have been meaningless for a nonhuman to die for the human race, because he would have had no connection or identity with those for whom he died. In order for Jesus the Christ to die in our place, he had to be one of us. This point of identification is critical to the success of God’s plan. Without a human mother, Jesus could not have carried out God’s plan to redeem (buy back) his own people. Nor could he have done it without a divine Father.

Spotless Conception

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.”

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,

And shall call his name Immanuel.

“ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

The Virgin Birth is most Vital because we must know that his conception is heavenly and not earthly, of God and not man

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

King James Version Chapter 1

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Blameless Life

Blameless Life

No Sin

“Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: and ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening”

“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” 1 Peter 2:2

No Submission to Satan

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Rogers, A. (2017). The Gospel Feast. In Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (). Signal Hill, CA: Rogers Family Trust.

Tempted by the Lust of Life (Pride)

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. – Tempted by the Lust of the Flesh 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. – Tempted by the Lust of the Eyes  8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. –

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. – Tempted by the Lust of the Flesh And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. – Tempted by the Lust of the Eyes  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. –

No Separation from the Fathers Will “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

No Selfish Desires

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

Truthfulness in all Communication

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”’

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version.,

Faultless Accusation

False Accusations

Flawed Trials

Forged Conviction

Compassion

Love

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version.,

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive Outline

I. Jesus’ Love Was a Selfless Love

II. Jesus’ Love Was a Steadfast Love

III. Jesus’ Love Was a Serving Love

IV. Jesus’ Love Was a Sanctifying Love

Grace

Unmerited Favor

King James Version Chapter 2

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life”

King James Version Chapter 3

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Unending Fondness

Unlimited Forgiveness

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version.,

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive Outline

A. A Sovereign Grace

B. A Seeking Grace

C. A Saving Grace

D. A Securing Grace

E. A Satisfying Grace

Jesus Conviction

The Allegations were made up

The Investigation didn't happen

The Examination was a joke

The Presumption

 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? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Pilate Presumption was that when having a choice of Barabbas or Jesus they would chose to release Jesus

 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Their Selection Mt 27:17 “Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?”

Savior

sinner

The Presumption

Their Motivation Mt 27:18 “he knew that for envy they had delivered him”

Fear

Enmity(Hate)

“Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him”.

“And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

“But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.”

“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.”

Envy

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased”

Jesus Christ: His Crucifixion Envy Supports Innocence

“Pilate was dense about many things, but he knew that the Jewish leaders were jealous of the power of Jesus with the people” (Robertson)

Jesus Christ: His Crucifixion Envy Supports Innocence

Pilate had no difficulty perceiving that the envy of the accusers, not the evil of Christ, was a strong reason why Christ was brought by the Jewish leaders to Pilate’s court for judgment. The envy was quite obvious

The Prompt

Jesus Christ: His Crucifixion Envy Supports Innocence

These religious leaders lived and died on popularity. They coveted a following, and those who were competition to them in gathering a following became their enemies.

The Prompting

From the Wife of Pilot

 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with c: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Recipient

“his wife”

Not named in the Scripture, and we don't have a lot of information about her aside from this encounter where she tried to protect Jesus. History identifies her as Claudia Procula, and a granddaughter of the Emperor Augustus. The book also says that she was a proselyte to Judaism, being among the women of higher classes over whom the Jewish religion exercised considerable influence

It was unusual for the governors wife to join him at the feast, not common. Also notes why did not God give Pilate the dream directly and gave it to his wife. Perhaps it was because God knew she could get his attention or it was simply because Pilate didn’t take a nap but she did. Or perhaps she slept in late that day and he didn’t. How many times men does your wife deliver you a message, that got your attention.

Revelation

“Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him”

The revelation was given to her in a dream, at times in the bible dreams were used to deliver a message. Joseph in the Old Testament was someone God used to Interpret dreams. In Genesis Pharaoh had a dream that disturbed him and not one could translate it, God used Joseph. In Daniel “Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him” and no one could tell him what it meant, Daniel came to him and asked for time, then Daniel went back and got his “3 Faithful Friends” to pray with him and God gave him the interpretation.

We don't know what was revealed unto her in the dream but we know it got her attention. Allow me to say when the Lord wants to gets your attention he will get your attention.

We don't know the motive in the revelation, we don't know why she had the dream but we know she had the dream.

Report

“sent unto him”

She was so disturbed that she immediately sent a message to her husband to not have anything to do with Jesus

Respect

“that just man”

We can see from her wording here that she is saying not to have anything to do with Jesus as he is a “just” man. Greek references “just” as dikaios which literally translates innocent or righteous.

From the Wicked Priests

 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

Priests

“Chief Priests”

The chief priests were always after Christ, they were continually against him. these should have been the same ones for him. They should have known the scriptures good enough to have known that Jesus was the promised Messiah. However they didn’t, however they allowed their pride, ego, envy and jealousy to direct them to the point they were blinded and could not see.

Persuasion

“Persuaded”

They used their words to manipulate the people to the place where they wanted a murderer released versus the one that never did anything wrong.

People

“the multitude

The “multitude” translates to crowd. It would have been no easy task to convince everyone to call for Barabbas to be released.

Punishment

“destroy”

“Destroy” translates to kill. They were not satisfied with Jesus being put in prison, or punished, they demanded that he be put to death.

The Preference

 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Deference

Pilate asks the people two questions (1) “Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?”. Pilate is asking the people because he is trying to get out of this. Pilate could have manned up and made the decision himself. Pilate deferred the decision to the people. Pilate had the power to release Jesus but he chose not to release him.

Makes me think, if Pilate would have manned up and said no, Jesus is innocent and I am going to release him what would have happened. In my theological opinion Jesus knew what was necessary (his death) and what would happen (the crucifixion) so the point may be null but it does make me think at times.

I do know in verse 24 this happens. “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.” I think Pilate tried to get out of this, that's the reason he differed the trials to Herod but Herod sent Jesus back.

Decision

The decision was made with Worldly influence instead of Godly influence. When we allow the world to influence our decisions those decisions will not be pleasing to the Lord as they were made without God’s influence. When you are about to make a decision Pray about, Pray more, then finish the decision with more Prayer. We must never allow the Opinions of the World to direct our decision. When you make your decisions with worldly influence those decisions are usually the wrong decision. The crowd chose a murderer over the master.

The world will influence you in a way that it leads to destruction. Should you doubt this please feel free to interview the prodigal son. The world influenced him until he had nothing left to give then the world left him.

Pilate then asked t

Destruction

At this point the decision was made, the crowd cried out “Let him be crucified” The decision was made to “destroy” Christ and deliver Barabbas.

Deliverance

Barabbas was delivered when Jesus was destroyed. Imagine being Barabbas on that day when he just knew he was going to die. The all of the sudden he sees Jesus he also sees hope. Not in the context that we typically see hope but his hope was that the people would chose to free him and kill Jesus. I know this is sad to us but look at it from Barabbas perspective. He went from a hopeless situation to a hopeful situation the moment Jesus enters the scenario. Barabbas knew his guilt but he is now about to experience Grace this was likely something that he knew little about.

Imagine being in prison and thinking you about about to die, then the guards come to get you and you just know you are about to die. They take you before Pilate then this plays out that not only will you not have to die today but you are free and delivered of the charges. Barabbas is no longer going to face charges over the things he has done, he has been delivered from those things and has a new beginning.

You and I should be able to relate to this, you may not have ever killed anyone but the reality is we are all sinners and are guilty on all accounts of our charges. Then here comes Jesus entering the scenario, you and I are no different from Barabbas in this context. You friend may be facing death today over the decisions and things you have done wrong. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” When you commit sin you are immediately sentenced to death. Barabbas was sentenced to death and because of Jesus he was able to escape death and not only was he able to escape death he was able to walk away a free man, and not only was he able to walk away a free man but he walked away with a new beginning.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” we can all agree we are sinners but the question is “Have you been Delivered from Death and Liberated to Life?”. You are the only one here that can answer that, no one else can for you. If you are here today and you have not been Born Again you have been sentenced to death because of your sin but don't be dismayed, Jesus not only took Barabbas place on the Cross but he took your place too. You do not have to face the punishment for your sin, Jesus already did that, all you need to do is get Born Again and begin a new life in Christ. No charge, no Charges, No Guilt, only Grace.