Barabbas, A Closer Look, Part 2:

“Barabbas, A Closer Look, Part 2:”

Tonight, in preparing the necessary Parts 2 and 3 to last week's Discussion about Barabbas, I consulted both the Internet for support material, as well as a book that I have repeatedly used in preparing Bible Studies. It has never ceased to amaze me in terms of the variety of valuable and edifying topics,  the depth of profound insight, and it has been a veritable gold mine of unlimited riches.  I refer to The World's Bible Handbook, written by Robert Boyd. Barabbas presented for us an amazing picture of a guilty and convicted individual, who was deservedly facing punishment... capital punishment for his crimes. And instead of being nailed to the cross that was fashioned with him in mind, the man acting as Judge that morning, released the guilty prisoner without a scratch, and sent the prisoner to be executed Whom he repeatedly had declared innocent, and Whom he repeatedly declared as being worthy of no punishment.

Barabbas, whose name we know so well, symbolically and prophetically represented each one of us in that he deserved to be punished for his lawlessness, yet he was summarily released. He came down from that Judgment Platform without a scratch. That picture, however, goes from powerful to astounding when you realize that, in the original Hebrew, the name Barabbas “son of the father.” When you become aware of that fact, the spiritual significance of Barabbas' representing us increases exponentially. There is no way that it was a coincidence that the prisoner released had a name that was so profound with meaning.

But I am going to go in a direction even I did not expect in Part 2, tonight. There is profound spiritual symbolism in Jesus being the innocent Lamb of God was slain, and Barabbas as the "son of the father,・being unpunished and released. In spite of their deep and focused significance, they are, in the final analysis, an incomplete, one-dimensional, black and white picture. Tonight, I want to turn this point-and-shoot snapshot into a full-color, High-Definition, 3-Dimensional motion picture.    

Jesus certainly laid down His Life for us. I do not question that. I certainly do not disparage that. What I am saying is that, in addition to the vital importance and significance of Jesus' fulfillment of the spritual symbol of the sacrificial Lamb of God, that is just one facet of the many, many roles that Christ fills. Paul tells is in so many words, in 1 Corinthians 5:7: "... even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:" In the original Passover, those who obeyed God's Command through Moses to smear the blood of a sacrificed, unblemished lamb on their doorposts, were passed over. The Angel of Death harmed no one who was under the blood of that lamb. After that, every year a Passover lamb was slain in the observance of the Passover. And when each  lamb that was sacrificed shed its blood, it provided a commemorative meal for a family. The lamb's part in the observance was complete and over. However, when Jesus shed His blood, and died and was buried, His role in our lives... His role in our Salvation, and His role in our Eternity was not complete and over. He said in John 10:17: "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again."  Peter declared the continuation of Jesus ministry in his first sermon, to members of the very mob who called for Jesus to be crucified. We read beginning in Acts 2:22: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23   Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24   Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."

And then in verse 36: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Yes! Jesus was crucified and died. But He is back!! Jesus declares in Revelation 1:18: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

In the next chapter, there is an account of God, through Peter and John, healing a lame beggar outside the Temple. We read beginning in Acts 3:11: "And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
12   And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
13   The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14   But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15   And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16   And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17   And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18   But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19   Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20   And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:"  

Jesus was the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World, and He died and was buried. But His Soul did not see corruption; He was raised from that tomb. He is alive. He has ascended to Heaven, and He has resumed His Glorious Place at the Right Hand of God.

What follows is that far more complete, multi-faceted picture of the Roles Jesus fills, today, based on the Names and Titles that highlight the Roles that Christ fills for us:

(This list is from "A List of 150 Titles," found at the website:
http://blog.adw.org/2012/05/150-titles-of-christ-from-the-scriptures/ )

Jesus is our Advocate – 1 John 2:1

Apostle and High Priest of our Confession – Hebrews 3:1

Author and Finisher of our Faith – Hebrews 12:2

Bridegroom – John 3:29

Captain of our Salvation – Hebrews 2:10

Deliverer – Romans 11:26

Faithful and True Witness – Revelation 1:5; 3:14

Firstborn among many brothers – Romans 8:29

Gate of the sheepfold – John 10:7

Good Shepherd – John 10:11; 14

Great Shepherd of the sheep – Hebrews 13:20

Head of the Church – Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22

High Priest – Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 7:26

Holy Servant  – Acts 4:27

Image of God – 2 Corithinians 4:4; Colossians 1:15

Indescribable Gift – 2 Corinthians 9:15

Intercessor – Hebrews 7:25

King of Kings – Revelation 17:14; 19:16; 1 Timothy 6:15

Lamb of God – John 1:29

Leader and Savior – Acts 5:31

Light of the world – John 8:12

Lord both of the dead and the living – Romans 14:9

Lord of Peace – 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Mediator – 1 Timothy 2:5

Messiah – John 1:41; 4:25

Mighty God – Isaiah 9:6

Power and wisdom of God – 1 Corinthians 1:24

Power for salvation – Luke 1:69

Prince of Life – Acts 3:15

Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6

Ransom – 1 Timothy 2:6

Redeemer – Isaiah 59:20

Rescuer from this Present Evil Age – Galatians 1:4

Radiance of God’s Glory – Hebrews 1:3

Resurrection and Life – John 11:25

Ruler and Savior – Acts 5:31

Savior of the world – 1 John 4:14; John 4:42

Shepherd and Guardian of our souls – 1 Peter 2:25

Son of the Most High God – Mark 5:7

Spiritual Rock – 1 Corinthians 10:4

True Vine – John 15:1

The Way the Truth and the Life – John 14:6

Wisdom of God – 1 Corinthians 1:24

Wonderful Counselor – Isaiah 9:6

Word of God – Revelation 19:13

Word of Life – 1 John 1:1

Meditate on each of the above Names and Titles of Christ. Look up the references, and read the whole passage in the verses before and after the specific verses listed to get a better grasp of, and appreciation for, what each Name or Title signifies.  As you read each Name and Title, consider how each one represents how our Lord and Savior is, as important as it is, far and above so much more than being "The Lamb of God Who taketh away the sin of the world,"  as John the Baptist identified Him in John 1:29.

Consider: As enlightening as these Names and Titles are, Scripture goes into far more detail about what Jesus' continuing Ministry, and what He has been doing with, for, to and through His Church for the past 2,000 years since His resurrection and ascension back to the Throne of God. I based most, but not all, of the points that follow on what is found at the website:

https://realtruth.org/articles/071210-001-religion.html

Below is a greatly consolidated summary from that website which goes into far greater detail. You can go to it for a more thorough review of Jesus' continuing Ministry. As you read each facet of that Ministry, consider how each one of these facets goes so far beyond Jesus being that sacrificial Lamb of God.

Scripture tells us He is at the Right Hand of God. We read in Luke 22:66-69: “And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led Him into their council, saying, Are you the Christ? Tell us. And He said unto them, If I tell you, you will not believe: And if I also ask you, you will not answer Me, nor let Me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God."

On the night before His crucifixion, He prayed to His Heavenly Father in John 17:5: "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

When Christ was raised from the dead, He was raised to the highest possible position of authority. After His resurrection, when He first appeared to His disciples behind those locked doors, He said in Matthew 28:18: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."  We also read in Ephesians 1:20: "...when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21   Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22   And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church."

Another one of Jesus' Roles today is that He is our High Priest. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 3:1-2, “Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed Him.” We also read in Hebrews 4:14-15: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

What is the Jesus' Role as the High Priest? He makes intercession for us: Hebrews explains in Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore He [Christ] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them." In making those intercessions Christ takes upon Himself the additional Role of Mediator. Notice 1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." But let's see how this Intercession / Mediation works to our Eternal Benefit: Hebrews 8:6 tells us, "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises."

What is that Better Covenant? Hebrews 10:16-21 answers that question: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17   And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18   Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19   ¶Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20   By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21   And having an high priest over the house of God;"

Another of His Roles is that He Guides His Church. We read in Colossians 1:18-19: "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19   For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

The very next verse goes on to tell us that Jesus does so much more than that which has already been declared! Colossians 1:20: "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." In In addition to His Mediation and His Intercessions for us, Jesus also reconciles us to His Father, through His Blood.

When He was a man on earth, Jesus' earthly father Joseph taught Him carpentry, which included masonry and other building skills. He is still a builder even today, as He builds His Church: Peter writes in I Peter 5:7: "You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” In building that Church, Jesus adds specific members to perform and offer specific skills and functions to His Spiritual Body. We read in I Cor. 12:18-31, "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19   And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20   But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21   And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22   Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23   And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24   For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25   That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26   And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27   ¶Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28   And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29   Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30   Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31   But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Jesus' death and resurrection are each separately vital to our Salvation. They each contribute in their own very special ways. Notice how the Apostle Paul highlighted how each plays a part in our Salvation. We read in Romans 5:10: "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Notice especially the last part: "...much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

Besides reconciling us, and saving us, Jesus also sanctifies us:
We read in Hebrews 2:11: "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren."

Jesus is in Heaven right now, sitting at the Right Hand of God. But He is our soon-returning Savior and Lord and King. Upon His arrival, Jesus will seize control of the Governments of the earth, becoming King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Does it occur to any of you that Jesus' Title. "King of Kings and Lord of Lords"  includes us in that Title? We are the kings that He is King of, and we are the lords that He is the Lord of. But we will go into far greater detail regarding that, next week.

The Sacrificial Lamb of God was a foreshadow and symbolic picture of Jesus to be sure! But there is so much more that Jesus has done and is doing where our Salvation, redemption, reconciliation, sanctification and Eternity is concerned. I would have been remiss to not share it all with you.

Next week in Part 3, I will share with you all the things that we are, that Barabbas was not.

This concludes this Evening's Discussion, Barabbas, A Closer Look, Part 2"
The above was written and presented by Romans, "live" on Thursday, July 28th, 2016