Mark 15 - 9.25.26
Scripture: Mark 15:6-7
“Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was imprisoned with insurrectionists who had committed murder during the uprising.”
Observation:
Jesus is before Pilate on trial. Pilate offers to free the king of the Jews. The Pharisees and the crowd screamed, "Crucify Jesus," so a man named Barabbas was set free and Jesus went to the cross.
What is interesting is how Barabbas is described in the scripture. First, he is described as an insurrectionist who is a murderer. Second, Jesus's sacrifice saved Barabbas's physical life when he was released. We are not sure if Barabbas was ever spiritually saved, but his name is interesting. Barabbas's name means "Son of the Father." Jesus is "The Son of God the Father."
In an interesting lesson from Pastor Josh Howerton about the Day of Atonement, he shares about how this connects with Jesus's crucifixion and Barabbas's release. He shared how the Old Testament connects the release of Barrabas (sacrifice released) and Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins. In Leviticus 16:7-10: “Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it as a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement by sending it into the wilderness.” Jesus was the sacrifice for our sins, and Barabbas—or insert your name—was the scapegoat. We were set free.
What caught my attention regarding Barabbas being physically saved is how it compares to some things in my own life and Mary (my wife). When I was a young kid I was hit by a car, and when Mary was a young adult, she was robbed at gunpoint. In both cases, God's Grace delivered us. It did not stop there. We still had to turn to Jesus for salvation. We can be saved physically but someday that will end. One day this body will pass but because Jesus was the sacrifice for my sins, I’ll have a new body in Heaven.
Application:
Nothing in the Bible is there by accident. The Scriptures are the inspired word of the Holy Spirit. Every word, comma, and every period is there for a reason. Matthew 5:18: "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." The Bible is not inconsistent or contradictory, as some people try and say. The Bible points to Jesus in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
If something you're reading stands out and you do not understand, write it down in your journal. Pray and read. Someday the Holy Spirit may reveal to you during your reading or hearing a sermon the scripture you had a question about. Seven times in the book of Revelation we read, "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Jesus does not want to be a mystery to us. He wants to have a close and personal relationship with us. He wants to reveal himself to us.
““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Prayer
Lord Jesus, your word is Holy, your word is truthful, and your word is to be cherished. It is amazing how many different ways in your word, Jesus, you showed us your life was going to be sacrificed for our sins. May we humbly cherish our opportunity to be in your word daily. Thank you. In Jesus name Amen
- Robert Oberg
