Easter 2020: The Gospel of Grace

Question of our day:

“I don’t know if I’ve been good enough.”

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time, they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 
Matthew 27:15-16

         “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man,

         for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

 Matthew 27:19

“When Herod saw Jesus he was greatly pleased because for a long time he had been waiting to see him, he hoped to see him perform some miracles.”

  Luke 23:8

So, when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do  you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

  Matthew 27:17

For he knew it was out of self-interest (or envy) that they had handed Jesus over to him.

                                                               Matthew 27:18

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“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 the Messiah?”  Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.                  

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

                                             Matthew 27:20-23

……………………………….

1.   Barabbas had second thoughts and turned himself in for execution.

….

2.   Barabbas had no response at all.

……….

3, Barabbas went out and tried to earn the gift he had already

    received.

…….

         God saved us, not because of any good work that we ourselves have

         done, but because of his own mercy he saved us.”

                                                               Titus 3:5

…………

4. Barabbas simply and humbly accepted God’s grace.