Give Us Barabbas

Pastor Tim Goad closes out Chapter 18 and takes us into 19 with CHRIST still before Pilate, HIS scourging, and bringing HIM before the people stating he found no wrong with HIM- that he had not found CHRIST to have broken any Roman law, or anything significant in Jewish law- and offered to release JESUS as was the custom during this time, but instead, the people cry out, "Give us Barabbas!" Not only was Barabbas a robber, but a murderer and insurrectionist against the Roman empire and knowing this and knowing that CHRIST had done no wrong, committed no sin, harmed no one but healed and taught, they chose the person which was not going to demand of them obedience, but was more like them in nature. In application, what is the Barabbas in your life that would keep you from complete obedience, love, service unto CHRIST who sacrificed all to save us? And using the example of the LORD's day, Tim brings to bear this solemn warning of an ever growing symptom amongst the professing evangelical landscape here in America today, where Sunday worship is optional, not necessary, and serving in love, the local body of CHRIST is just outdated and legalistic. Obedience unto HIS will, word, LORDSHIP is not only done away with, but loathsome and despised. We are called to continually examine ourselves to see if we are, in fact, of the faith, and loving our sovereign, thrice holy and triune GOD with our whole mind, body, soul, and strength as our reasonable service commanded in Romans 12:1.