Introduction

Good morning, dear family in Christ, and welcome to another blessed day in the Lord's house. I trust that you've come with hearts open and ready to be filled with the living word of God, for it is in these moments of fellowship and reflection that we truly touch the hem of His garment and feel the warmth of His divine love.

Our message today is drawn from the book of Matthew, chapter 27, verses 16 through 26. Allow me to read it for you:

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In this passage, we see the story of Barabbas, a man whose life was forever changed by an encounter with Christ, even though they never exchanged a single word. We see the great exchange, where our Savior bore our sins on the cross, and we see the choice of freedom that is offered to each of us through His sacrifice.

The esteemed preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction." Isn't it true that it is often in our moments of greatest struggle, when we feel the weight of our burdens most heavily, that we find our strength in Christ?

Today, we will look at Barabbas' burden becoming a blessing, the bearing of our nails - the great exchange, and becoming new - the choice of freedom. Each of these points will guide us in understanding the profound love of God, the depth of His sacrifice, and the freedom that is ours in Christ.

Now, let us bow our heads in prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the opportunity to gather in Your name, to learn from Your word, and to grow in our faith. As we delve into Your word today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand the lessons You have for us. May Your Holy Spirit guide us in all truth and understanding. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Now, let's embark on this enlightening adventure together.

Barabbas' Burden Becomes Blessing

In the heart of the narrative, we find Barabbas, a man known for his crimes. He was a prisoner, bound by the chains of his wrongdoings, his life marked by rebellion and lawlessness. His name was synonymous with trouble, and he carried the weight of his reputation, his past, and his impending punishment. Yet, in the midst of his predicament, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

The moment when Pilate presented the crowd with a choice: It was customary during the Passover Festival for a prisoner to be released. Pilate, finding no fault in Jesus, offered the crowd a choice between Jesus, the man who healed, taught, and loved, and Barabbas, a man known for his transgressions. The crowd, influenced by the chief priests and elders, chose Barabbas.

Imagine Barabbas' surprise: He, a guilty man, was set free while Jesus, an innocent man, was sentenced to death. The burden of his punishment was lifted. He was given a second chance, an opportunity to start anew. This was not a result of his doing or his merit, but a consequence of Jesus' condemnation.

Our first consideration: Barabbas' release is a vivid illustration of the grace we receive through Christ. Like Barabbas, we are all guilty. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Yet, because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we are offered freedom. Our sins, our past, our mistakes do not define us. We are not bound by our transgressions, but we are set free by the blood of Jesus.

Our second consideration: The transformation that can occur when our burdens become blessings. Barabbas was a prisoner, but his release transformed him into a symbol of God's grace. His story serves as a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and forgiveness. No matter how heavy our burdens, how deep our sins, or how far we have strayed, God's grace is sufficient.

Our third consideration: We must consider the role of choice in this narrative. The crowd had a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. They chose to free a guilty man and crucify an innocent one. This choice had profound implications. It resulted in the crucifixion of Jesus, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the salvation of mankind. It also resulted in the freedom of Barabbas. This reminds us that our choices matter. They have consequences and can lead to blessings or burdens.

Our fourth consideration: We must consider the power of God's sovereignty. Despite the seeming injustice of the situation, God's plan was being fulfilled. Jesus was destined to die on the cross for our sins. Barabbas' release was not a random act, but a part of God's divine plan. This reminds us that God is in control. Even when situations seem unfair or beyond our understanding, we can trust that God is working for our good and His glory.

Bearing Our Nails - The Great Exchange

As we continue to reflect on the story of Barabbas, we see a vivid illustration of the great exchange that took place at the cross ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO