Barabbas - Part Three

Part Three - Story of the Overflowing Spirit


(Barabbas is an old man living in Bethlehem)

 

My grandson is sitting on the ground looking up at me. I want to impress into his little mind what Jesus had done for me. My spirit is simply overflowing with the goodness of God. How much of my story can I tell him? Looking back over my life is like seeing two different people. The first half of my life as a no-good robber was just miserable. But the second half as a born again Christian I have enjoyed like I never thought possible. I never want to let my Savior down. Paul wrote in the letter; And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own.  4:30 It is very easy to grieve the Spirit of Jesus because He is living in me. I pray He will help me now as I explain what is in my scroll to my grandson.

The afternoon that Jesus died on the cross for me is literally the most vivid memory that I have. Why would I ever hurt Him or bring shame to His name? If there were only some way to tell my little admirer that nothing in this life compares with a life in Jesus Christ. Paul’s letter talks about this when he says; Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  6:18 I know it doesn’t seem like much when you read it but after experiencing it, you can see it in large letters. The fact that I talk all day long to the Spirit inside of me sounds a little odd but it works. This is why I know my grandson Benjamin will understand what I tell him.

After our visit, Benjamin gives me a hug and runs after his pet lamb. Looking toward heaven I begin to think about the new life that Jesus has given me. During the last few years the friends in my life know very well that I am now a righteous guy. All these people will vouch for me. Some of them even identify with me because they were also rescued from a terrible life of one kind or another. I am sensitive to the Spirit of Jesus and have experienced what Paul wrote about when he said; For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth  5:9 It took me a while to learn that if I do not cooperate with the Spirit He cannot produce the righteousness that God wants to see in my life. I started life without a father but I want to keep this one who really cares for me.

Thinking back to my old robber days I remember that drinking was sometimes a problem. Even if I were sober, which was seldom, it was still very difficult to convince my helpers to keep control of themselves. You see it is usually easy for the law to catch drunks because our decisions are faulty. I only mention this because I understand why Paul said; Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. 5:18 Everything is about who or what controls our life. It is obvious that when we give our life to Jesus his Spirit should be in control. Drink is not the only thing that robs us of a dedicated life. Avoid anything that wants to rule your life.

There is a Shepherd bringing his sheep in for the night and I think of the freedom that he enjoys. I have spiritual freedom in my life because of the power of the Spirit in my daily life. Some people ask how to do this. I simply ask for God to lead me and I quit trying to help. The Spirit suggests the actions I should follow and I do exactly what He advises. If you are thinking this will take a totally new and different attitude you are right. I am continually learning about this new life from my copy of the letter. Paul recommends that we;  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  6:17  I stand up and lift my scroll over head. I know that this sword will carry me to victory until my time comes to an end. 

I am aware that some of you do not want to believe that I was ever saved at all. But if my name Barabbas bothers you then just take it out and replace it with your own. Don’t tell me you would not like to be the child of our God and Almighty Father.

                                                THE END

Barabbas - Part Two

Part Two - The Story of the Letter

(Barabbas is now middle aged and owns a successful caravan business.)

 

Let me explain that the entire Jerusalem church was supportive of my new life as a Christian and some of them helped me start my business. By working hard and being honest I was now able to support the church which had some hard times because of the religious Jews. It is a real joy to support the ones who have forgiven me and are the family I never had before. The Lord even gave me a wonderful wife and one son. My son now lives in Bethlehem with his new wife. I have time to tell you these things because I am on a ship returning from a trip to Ephesus.

It was a joyous trip and I now possess a copy of a letter written by Paul. Many times I have listened to stories about this godly man named Paul. I have not met him but his letters are revolutionizing the Christian community. A friend of mine lives in Ephesus and he insisted that I come to visit him. I did not feel I had the time until he promised I could make my own copy of a letter Paul has written to the Church at Ephesus. I am standing at the railing with my new scroll and thinking of the change in my life since I sat beneath the cross. It still seems unreal to me that this old robber has changed so much and that Bar-abbas is really a son of our Father in Heaven.

I had a great time visiting the church in Ephesus and I read my new scroll all the way back to Jerusalem. Along with the writings of my friend John this letter is my most precious possession. Paul’s letter is more than I had hoped for. It explains what happened to me on the day 120 of us had the Spirit of Jesus enter our body’s while the flames danced above us. For example the letter says; when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit.  1:13  I now know that when Jesus died that afternoon on the cross He paid the price for my soul and I belong to Him. And I learned that when His Spirit came down 50 days afterward it was to live inside me. This odd story has become the most real thing in my life.

I could hardly wait to arrive home and tell the Jerusalem church about my trip and encourage them in the Lord. You know the original Barabbas had been a dumb thief. But today I understand so many things about life that I can hardly believe it. As I read my copy of the letter again I notice that another great gift was given to me. It says; I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom 1:16 How can any believer think that they understand God if the Spirit of Jesus in not giving them wisdom? Oh how I love to read about what God has done for His children.

When I arrived home and was allowed to address the Church I felt very important. I told them that I had  never spoken to Jesus but that He had told the Disciples He “must” leave this earth so that 50 days after His death, His spirit could come back to earth and live inside of people. This is important because; Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit  2:18 Yes, now each of us can approach the Almighty Father through the Spirit of Jesus. In the old times of the Priests no one ever thought it would be possible that individuals could have access to the great “I am”. Believe it or not, we have continual, 24/7, access to the Almighty so that we are never without Him.

The church listened as I told that when John found me sitting in the dark at the foot of the cross, there was not one person in the world that I could trust. Boy how things have changed. I can trust every friend in my church today. One time while reading the letter I noticed this line; In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 2:22  This must mean that every Christian person is being shaped as a part of something much greater. We are all part of the great body of Christ. And today the temple of God is completely godly which certainly makes every member of Christ trustworthy and full of honor. I am not just an individual.

On the way home from church I passed an old religious man on the street. He made me remember how the old Barabbas used to laugh at the silly routines that religious people were following. But now I only feel sorry for them because they do not have the Spirit of Jesus to show them the way. The letter from Paul explains it this way; As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it.  3:3-5 The apostles writings reveal the plan of God because the Spirit of Jesus lives in us and interprets everything to believers. I love being a Christian.

After I first became a believer there were times when I did not think I would have the mental or moral strength to live as a Christian. Later I learned that it did not require my strength at all. The secret was to trust God; I pray that from his ( the Father) glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  3:16-17 As an ex-criminal there were many times that I almost went back to my old deeds but the Lord always sent something along to remind me that His power was in me.
 

When Paul wrote this letter I wonder if he had any idea how many times it would be read? Anyway, even as different as we all are with many different failings in our past life, the Spirit continues to try and unite us into one family. Our part is to be willing; Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  4:3 When I was a robber there was no way I would bind myself to any other. It was every man for himself but now that I am a Christian everything has been reversed. I am glad that the letter says a lot about how we have become part of a great family.

Barabbas - Part One

The next couple of posts are written in remembrance of what Jesus did on the cross for our sins and his resurrection from the dead for our life.  What might have happened to  the man who was freed from death and Jesus died in his place...Barabbas?  May we all remember and live out our lives in the very fact that Jesus died in our place.

Part One - The Story of a Robber

(Jerusalem is full of tension the day before Passover)

From the porch of his palace the great Prefect of Judea gazes out over the crowd that is packed into the square below him. He had never seen Jerusalem boiling with such anger during his three years in office. Pilate thinks to himself that his childhood as a wealthy boy, brought up in the city of Rome, had not prepared him for this situation. His appointment to this hot corner of the Empire was a dubious honor today. Pilate desperately wanted to acquit Jesus because of some horrible feeling that was churning inside of his body. But the crowd had worked itself into a frenzy that could not be calmed without conformity to their position.

Meanwhile in the prison occupying three levels below Pilate’s palace is where I have been lowered.  In fact to the lowest level of this great cavity carved into the stone floor is my chamber; eight feet by eight feet, thirty feet deep and very dark. The occupation I had grown into, beginning as a child, was robbery. You know, today I am 33 but this is probably my last birthday. Anyway, my current situation under Pilate’s house is worse than usual because someone has squealed on me after my most profitable robbery. It seems that the rich travelers I cleaned out were coming from Rome to visit Pilate.

My name is Barabbas and crucifixion is the way my life will end. It seems odd but during the last hour I have felt a small tremble in the rock walls around me. The guard on the second level suddenly yells down and says that a huge mob of people out in the square are screaming my name. “Barabbas, Barabbas!” the guard repeats out of amazement. I decide they must be yelling for someone else. There is no crowd that even knows who I am. Earlier today a new guy was brought in and chained to the wall on the top level next to the entrance guard. He never said a word but maybe his name is also Barabbas.

A lantern appears above me and through the darkness of my situation I see two Roman soldiers lowering a rope to me. I am instructed to tie it around me and hold on. Not so gently they drag me up the stone wall and out onto the second level floor. Three men I know are chained to the second level wall and they begin to harass me about how my time has come. Very slowly the two guards force me to ascend the narrow set of steps carved into the wall of the second level. Finally at the top of the steps I am face to face with the man chained in the holding niche. This Man is so quiet and good that I somehow feel the weight of my crimes for the first time in my life.

The new prisoner is not named Barabbas as I had speculated. While this compelling Man silently looks into my eyes, a guard says “meet Jesus, the man who will die in your place today!” My knees almost buckled as I tried to get my mind around this news. This guard must be playing some awful prank on me. But another guard escorts me out onto the steps of the palace and removes my chains. I am unable to say a word as another unbelievable thing happens. The huge crowd suddenly begins to cheer for me. Had I died and gone to some other world?

After attending a party with some of the crowd who were totally unknown to me, I came to understand that they were celebrating the soon coming death of the gentle Man who was to take my place on the cross. This realization turned my stomach. I slipped away and wandered the empty streets on the other side of town. I am supposed to be the bad guy but these high class religious leaders were having an innocent Man killed and it was making me sick. Nothing makes any sense today. I was thrilled to be set free but why is this Man named Jesus dying in my place?

Somehow I found myself climbing the city wall where looking out from the roof over the gate I could see the place of the skull where criminals were crucified. I heard the crowd noise coming from behind me and looking back into the city I saw the cross moving slowly. The convicted Man was trudging under the weight as he made his way through the main street of Jerusalem. What was my replacement thinking as He went through the gate and out to His cruel death? I watched all afternoon as the terrible drama slowly played to its end. As the Man hung on the cross that terrible day the entire sky went black. The darkness gave me the opportunity to leave the wall and slowly approach the crosses.

I waited until everyone was gone and had left the three dead men hanging on the crosses in a distorted silence. “Look now at the notorious thief, Barabbas, sitting on the ground watching a dead Man,” I thought to myself. But I could not leave, something had gripped me and would not let go. I had no idea that millions of people the world over would be gripped by the same power. A man had slipped beside me quietly while I was totally engrossed in the darkness of my thoughts. He introduced himself as a disciple of the dead man and called himself John. He explained that although it was the Sabbath night he could not stay at home where he belonged. Then he asked a question that twisted my insides. John wanted to know who I was!

He must have thought it strange but I just stared at him. Then in a choked voice he repeated that his name was John and that the man he loved so much was the Son of God. When I heard that Jesus was the Son of God my terrible confession just gushed. I was Barabbas, the man Jesus had died for. As I explained the events of my day and how none of it had made any sense to me, John did another unbelievable thing. He put his arm around my shoulders. No one had ever done this to me before. He told me a little about the Man who had died and the things that had been said from the cross. When I heard the words Father, forgive them I went to pieces.

My name is Barabbas but I have never met my actual father. Could my strange name finally have meaning to it? I should explain that Bar means “son of” and abba means “the father.” Is it possible that I could become a son of the Heavenly Father? John stood up and insisted that I come to his home in spite of the fact that I was the man Jesus had died for. As the days passed I learned that the Man on the cross had come back to life and that my friend John had seen Him. I believed everything John was teaching and eventually I became part of his group of believers.

It was exactly 50 days after the death of Jesus when we were all gathered in the upper room. Approximately 120 of us were present when suddenly we heard the sound of a great wind and what looked to be a tongue of fire hovering over each of us. John explained to me that the Spirit of Jesus had just returned to earth in order to live inside of each believer. Instead of having just one person of Jesus on the earth, now it was possible for many people to represent Jesus in this lost world. What a burden was lifted from my back. Now that Jesus was inside of me, I, Barabbas, would do my best to be like the Savior who had died for me and be a good son for my new Father.

House Full of Servants

Most Christians gather together to worship the only true God. In the original languages of the Scriptures the most used word for worship means “to adore God”. This is also be the primary reason we meet together. However, there is another word for worship that is not used very often. The Greek is “latreuo” and it’s interesting because it is a combination of two meanings. This word unites both worship and service. Although the ideas are intertwined English speakers tend to think of only one or the other at a time. This shared meaning would be easier for us to understand if we had ever lived under a benevolent king. The fact is, he would own us as servants but we would love and serve the king because he had concern for us. When we gather together in our kings’ presence we gladly praise him. However, at the same time servants listen carefully to every word the king has to say. The noble king’s plans or even his wishes would be responded to quickly because everyone loves him so much. The church is like a house full of servants ready to respond and it must be a wonderful feeling for our King.

In order to fulfill the generous plan of God on earth, our King needs to have a ready supply of servants. These servants need to be his righteous representatives to this world. When we talk about being a group of servants it is important to keep in mind that no one is forced into service. Every Christian serves from inter-compulsion. At one time we did belong to the enemies of God, until we were freed to serve God. One great prophecy says; We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. Luke 1:74-75 (NLT) Simply put, we gladly serve God because he redeemed us from an evil life leading away from Him. We live our new life as part of a group. The fellowship of believers was prearranged by God to be the body of Christ. This large supply of servants will be called on time and again in the continuing plan of God. Some believers will not work in the church group for various reasons. They will never experience the complete joy of being in the body of Christ because they don’t want to learn how the Spirit joins us together. Giving to and working with God’s people is a privilege. Remember the old saying, “it is better to give than to receive”.

This word to serve/worship can be used as we serve others in the name of God. Paul mentions that he serves the same God as the great Old Testament men: Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 2 Tim 1:3 His prayers for Timothy included the fact that he was serving and worshiping the same God as the old time believers. He said this even though their service was bloody and complicated while he enjoyed the new spiritual way of serving. Our works may be different but our devotion to God must be the same. Paul went so far as to say: For we who worship (serve) by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, Phil 3:3 (NLT) Our worship includes service but Paul makes it clear that our efforts are not required by the Law. Our service in the church is motivated by the Spirit living in us.

Sometimes people want to serve in the church but their local assembly is focusing on social activities and has forgotten the Master’s purpose. We worship and serve to increase the size and quality of God’s family. Paul always kept this in mind as stated here: God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. Romans 1:9 (NLT) Spreading the Gospel of Christ is the work of the Church. There are many ways this is done but simply looking after our own interest is not one of them. The job of Israel was to spread the Good News of God’s promise as Paul mentions in this speech: Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship (serve) God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Acts 26:6-7 However, since the death and resurrection of Christ, the Church has the responsibility to spread the Gospel everywhere. It is a big job and the Church body must all work together.

Our Lord wants a house full of servants that will both worship and serve Him. This house is to operate completely in love. The sign of love always identifies the body of Christ. Our world does not realize how much they need the church. A local church should not rely on wealth but on the love of God. Jesus told a story about people who were too busy with worldly business to come to His banquet. The Church has the job of the servant: His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more. So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. Luke 14:21-23 (NLT) Today is the time to join a house of servants and do everything we can to fill up the house of the Lord. There is nothing more exciting than to see a group of God's servants working together in the will of our Master.