“We Are More Like Barabbas”

A vital part of Christianity is understanding substitutionary atonement. By nature humans are sinful people who try time and time again to do right but we always fall short. I’m not sure if as Christians we can understand the Gospel without understanding substitutionary atonement. A simple definition of substitutionary atonement is Jesus Christ dying as a substitute for sinners. As the song says “He took my place”.

As Human beings we are all guilty of being sinful people. Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, and the penalty for sin is death. History has proven mans true nature we fall most of the time, and the times we don’t fall our righteousness is considered as filthy rags. There are 1,189 chapters is the Bible only two chapters reflect man in a perfect state. The other 1,187 chapters show man in his fallen state.

So how do we get back in right standing with god our creator? Jesus is how we do that. Jesus paid the price demanded by justice for your sins, you are declared innocent and righteous before God, the supreme Judge, when you are united with Christ Jesus. There is absolutely no other salvation for mankind outside of Jesus Christ. He is the ONLY way! 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Matt chapter 27 is a clear picture of how Jesus Christ physically took our place. We see Jesus on trial before a Roman governor name Pontius Pilate. It was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. We will see how this crown of religious people chooses a sinner over a savior. Verse 21-22 says “Which of the two do you want me to release to you? Asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, Crucify him!" This is exactly what substitutionary atonement looks like. By reading this passage of scripture we get a glimpse of how Christ took the place of men and woman worthy of death.

Before we start to judge Barabbas its important for us to reflect and look at our own sin. Just as Barabbas should have been the one on the cross so should we! The Old Testaments proves that man has always been sinful and rebellious against God. Time and time again we have chosen sin over righteousness.

God’s Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to pay for the price of our sins. Because he did this for us; we now have the opportunity to not only have our sins forgiven, but to spend eternity with Him. BUT in order to do this we must place our faith in what Christ did on the cross. So the next time you think about being like Jesus, take time to reflect that we are more like Barabbas. We are men and woman in desperate need of a substitute to take our place. Jesus Christ is the perfect substitutionary atonement for our sins.

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“Followers of the Way”

Over 2000 years ago the church was birthed. The earliest Christ centered community that formed around Jesus message did not call themselves Christians. They called themselves “Followers of the Way”. These early Christian learned how to disciple people by simple following in the Master’s footsteps.

The word Christian is only shown three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26), (Acts 26:28), (1 Peter 4:16). Through out the book of Acts you will consistently see references to believers as “Followers of the Way”. Even Paul referred to believers as The Way in Acts 22:4. Having Paul refer to believers as “Followers of the Way” means a lot. He was one of the most advocate supporters of the early church. In Acts 24:5 we find Paul on trial for preaching about Jesus, and the prosecutor in his trial says: “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect” Clearly Paul was a leader and front runner for believers. You can find reference of “The Way” in (Acts 19:9; 19:23; 22:4; 24:14; 24:22).

So why where these early Christian call followers of the way? Well because in John 14:6 Jesus called Himself the way and the truth and the life. The question that we must ask ourselves 2000 years later is, are we still showing people “The Way”. It’s easy for us to get caught up in our daily lives and forget that there is a whole world that is lost and in desperate need of “The Way”. One of the easiest ways to show people the way is by following in Christ footsteps.

Ill never forget watching a speech by Louis Farrakhan and hearing him say he doesn’t have a problem with Jesus he has a problem with his followers. As followers of “The Way” we must represent Christ at all times. We can not be followers and fakes at the same time. The time is now for us to show off the glory and majesty of our King.

So as followers of the Way we must make sure we are making the way clear to people. The easiest way to make it clear to people is by living a transformed life. I don't believe you can receive Jesus into your heart and your actions not prove it. So lets show people and tell people about the way to peace, comfort and ultimately salvation. There is only one way to receive salvation and that is by believing in the person and the work of Christ Jesus. I think in John 10:9 Jesus says it best “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

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