IT HAS TO BE ALL OF GRACE

 

Matthew 27:15-25

Let’s go back to the time of Jesus’ arrest as He stands on trial before Pilate and the Jews. But first we must put ourselves in the shoes of a notorious killer named Barabbas. The courts, the legal system of the day finds this man guilty of: Murder and a theft, an insurrectionist. (Luke 23:25; John 18:40) He is an anti- Roman revolutionary, an independent rogue. (a rebellious person who is against the government) He was a great threat to his fellow countryman. His sentence for his crimes is punishable by DEATH. Barabbas was scheduled for execution. According to Roman culture this was only reserved for the worst of criminals. The Jewish people forbid this form of punishment; because they thought this was cruel and barbaric practices. 

The Jewish people also believed this to be a curse from God. Moses wrote, "And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God.” Deut 21:22-23 

Now that’s go back to this notorious criminal. He is guilty without a shadow of doubt in a court of law. He deserves, and will be put to death for his wicked acts according to Romans rules. He has his spot reserved between two thieves! Why? He is a worst kind of criminal. He is the very type of person the cross is reserved for. So imagine with me for a moment, you’re him! You’re sitting in this cell, helpless, lost, life as you know it is about to come to an end by the sound of clanking keys. What do you think is racing through his mind at this moment? It could possibly be nothing, no regret or fear. But it could also be in absolute terror, as you awaits your execution. Whatever Barabbas felt is not the point of this portion of Scripture. 

But something happens here that completely changes the course of history for mankind. (v15) Pilate is more than likely expecting the crowd to call for Jesus to be released, because they admired Jesus. This wasn’t uncommon during this time of year “The Feast of Unleavened Bread”. This was a Roman tradition for the Jewish people during Passover. (v15) This was an act of diplomacy and to help reduce tension and bitterness in the subjected nation of Israel. So here is a notorious killer, the Governor, and the Son of God. This scene reminds me of the western movie “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” Pilate asks the question, “Which one of these two, do you want me to release and let go free.” (v17) For Barabbas you are thinking anxiety is setting in, sweat is pouring down your face because in reality there is no way they call my name. For Barabbas, death is more of a reality than it was 10 minutes ago as your about to take the long walk up to the Place of the Skulls. So you begin to tune out the crowd, you’re not listening to who they want crucified, and who they want released. (v21) they chant “Barabbas” is the one we want released. “Barabbas, you are free to go!” 

What is wrong with this scene?

What is wrong with these people?

A guilty and murderous man is being set free. Is that justice? A danger to society is about to be let go for the heinous acts he has committed. Is that Justice? A criminal is about to walk away a free man, with a clean slate. Is that Justice? The only way I can reconcile this event in history is to say “It has, and is, all of grace” Grace is the free unmerited love and favour of God that He bestows over a sinner. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” 

Eph 2:8-10

 

Grace is a state of reconciliation to a holy God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom 5:1-2 

See it was by grace that Jesus took Barabbas’ place that day. This was God’s providential plan in motion, to lead the Son of God to the Cross, and to fulfill His holy, and righteous anger against sinners. Do you realize that apart from God’s grace, every one of us deserves what Barabbas was supposed to get. Barabbas was a murderer, a rebellious man to society according to Scripture. Luke 23:19. 

Mike Andrews was a wretched sinner, whose heart was deceitful and wicked. Jer 17:9-10 Mankind is a place of distraction, because this world needs His grace and gospel. “as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." Rom 3:10-12

See the problem with the crowd’s decision is that….. Jesus didn’t do anything wrong, which makes this grace for fallen mankind seem so much more personal and absolutely scandalous! In Luke’s gospel, Pilate knew that Jesus was no criminal, and definitely not worthy of death. " Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him."  Luke 23:13-16  

Peter would remind the displaced believers the same truth, but necessary as we suffer for His name sake. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.  When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:21-25

 

Paul said, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor 5:21. Pilate’s wife knew this as well, that is why she confronted her husband. “…"Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream." (v19) Pilate’s wife was very courageous, to interrupt the business in a trial. Pilate was a judge, “seated on the judgement seat” so for her to say this would be unspeakable, to dare intrude on such proceedings. We don’t know the origin for her dream, and scripture is silent and there is no justification to say this came from God. But I am sure Pilate and his wife had previous conversations talking about Jesus all week, and this was weighed heavily on her heart. From His triumphant entrance into the City, His countless healings and miracles, to His display of righteous anger when He upset the money tables in the temple. What we do know is that this event in History was according to God’s perfect plan of redemption. When Peter said, “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” Acts 2:23

  

And Pilate’s wife was correct in her assessment of Jesus Christ. “Have nothing to do with that righteous man” Because Peter would write later, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous,” 1 Peter 3:18. Jesus’ stood where Barabbas should have stood, but His death was appointed by God; and nothing will get in the way of God’s perfect plan of redemption. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:6-11

 

This was the only way to fulfill the Father’s requirement for mankind’s sinful and rebellious hearts. The pleasure of God's gracious decree for the salvation of mankind, shall be effectually carried out through the offering of His Son. 

JESUS’ DEATH exhibited his humility for sinners who don’t deserve His grace. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Phil 2:8 

Jesus drank the cup for you and me. “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…….Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." Matt 26:39, 42

Oswald Chambers wrote, “Jesus drank a cup of wrath without mercy, that we might drink a cup of mercy without wrath.” 

That’s what was amazing about this time in History. A guilty man is let go on the account of another. Jesus freely, Jesus fulfilled and Jesus satisfied the Father’s wrath by drinking the cup of iniquity. Jesus took my place on the altar of God’s wrath, so that I could taste and receive grace. Jesus took my place of a guilty and shame, so that I could be reconciled back to holy God, though the death of His only begotten Son. If we were in the crowd that day when Pilate asked the people “Which of these two should I release?” By default, by our depravity, we would have to join the mob and cry out “Crucify Him, Yes, crucify Him.” In my heart personally…..I would have been the loudest one there; crying out those sweet but painful words. 

“Crucify Him! Yes, Crucify Him, for I am a great sinner,

who needs a Greater Saviour.” 

I am with Paul when he said, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Tim 1:12-17

The only way for a guilty man or woman, to be truly set free, is to look

to the perfect work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.