Lessons from Barabbas

By David Norfleet

In the dramatic moments leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, we witness a profound injustice unfold—a narrative that resonates through the ages. As Jesus stands trial before Pilate, the decision to release Barabbas, a notorious criminal, instead of the innocent Savior stands as one of history’s greatest travesties. This moment, captured in the Gospels and Acts (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-40; Acts 3:14), invites us to explore crucial lessons that emerge from this painful story.

Life Isn’t Always Fair

The first lesson we encounter is the harsh reality that life is not always fair. In John 18:39-40, we see the stark contrast between justice and injustice, where the guilty are favored over the innocent. Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us that the race isn’t always won by the swift or the battle by the strong. Jesus faced this injustice with a heart full of humility, submitting to God’s will even when He could have called upon legions of angels for rescue (Matthew 26:53). This serves as a powerful reminder for us: in moments of hardship, we can choose to respond with grace, just as Jesus did.

Ignorance Can Lead to Wrong-Doing

Another lesson emerges when we consider the ignorance that fueled the crowd’s demands. Acts 3:13-18 reveals that many of the Jews acted out of a lack of understanding. Their religious fervor, devoid of knowledge, led them to reject the very Messiah they had long awaited. This illustrates a critical truth: when our faith lacks understanding, we risk making grave errors. They failed to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, by allowing their own preconceptions to incorrectly interpret scriptures such as Isaiah 42:1 and 52:13-15.

The Danger of Blindly Following

The crowd’s choice to demand Barabbas’s release underscores the danger of blindly following others. Stirred up by the chief priests, they lost sight of justice (Mark 15:6-15). This scenario serves as a cautionary tale against the mob mentality that can sway us. Matthew 15:14 warns us not to follow those who lead us astray. It’s essential to engage critically with our beliefs and choices, rather than simply go along with the crowd.

The Loudest Voices Often Get Their Way

In moments of public pressure, we see how the loudest voices can dominate the narrative. Luke 23:13-25 illustrates how Pilate, faced with a tumultuous crowd, ultimately chose to appease them rather than uphold justice. This phenomenon isn’t unique to biblical times; it happens in our world today. Leaders often prioritize the demands of the loudest factions, as noted in Mark 15:15. We must remain vigilant against the sway of public opinion and be wary of the influence of the masses, as warned in Exodus 23:2 and Proverbs 1:10-15.

Hypocrites Are Blind to Their Hypocrisy

The hypocrisy of the religious leaders stands out starkly in this narrative. They accused Jesus of rebellion while failing to recognize their own similar transgressions (Luke 23:1-5). Their cry, “His blood be on us” (Matthew 27:25), reveals a troubling blindness to their own hypocrisy (Matthew 23:6-7; 15; 23). This reminds us that self-awareness is crucial; we must be willing to examine our own hearts before pointing fingers at others.

Barabbas Represents Every Sinner

Finally, Barabbas’s story resonates deeply with each of us. Like Barabbas, we are all guilty of sin (Romans 3:23). Yet, in a profound act of grace, the innocent Jesus took the place of the guilty, offering us the chance for redemption (Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 5:6-8; Galatians 3:13). Barabbas’s release symbolizes the hope that we, too, can be set free through the sacrifice of Christ.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the fate of Barabbas, we’re left with questions. What happened to him after his release? Did he remain unchanged, or did he experience a transformation? Perhaps he became a Christian, only to later stray. Or maybe he embraced the truth of Christ and lived faithfully until the end.

Ultimately, we are all faced with choices that shape our lives. Like Barabbas, we have the opportunity to respond to grace. The question remains: how will we choose to live in light of the profound gift we’ve received? Each path we take leads us toward our own story of redemption, and it’s a journey worth considering.

Assemble

By David Norfleet

We’ve all heard it before: “Do we have to go to church?” It’s a question that many parents face, often at the end of a long week or after a gospel meeting. From a child’s perspective, the idea of skipping church for a movie or video game seems reasonable. After all, the logic might be that attending once or twice a month should be sufficient. While this viewpoint is understandable in children, it’s less acceptable when adopted by adults.

The question of why we should gather for worship is essential and deserves a thoughtful answer. Psalm 122:1 gives us a profound insight into this issue. The psalmist expresses joy and anticipation about going to the house of the Lord. The term “glad” here is more than just a feeling of contentment; it signifies a deep, rejoicing happiness.

In the Old Testament, God's people were commanded to assemble for worship on several occasions. For example, Isaiah 2:3, Jeremiah 31:6, and Micah 4:2 highlight the significance of these gatherings. These assemblies were not just ritualistic; they were vital to the spiritual life of the community. Leviticus 23:27, 35, and 37 provide further evidence of God's command for regular worship. The Israelites were called together by the sound of silver trumpets, as described in Numbers 10:2-3.

The New Testament also reinforces the importance of assembling. Early Christians frequently gathered, as seen in Acts 2:46, 5:12, 12:12, and 14:27. The instruction to not forsake assembling is explicit in Hebrews 10:25. So, why is it so critical to come together? Couldn’t we simply worship at home?

The Benefits of Assembling

• Focus and Refocus on God: When we assemble, we have an uninterrupted opportunity to focus solely on God. This time of worship helps us realign our priorities and redirect our attention to what truly matters. During the Lord’s Supper, for instance, self-examination becomes a natural part of our reflection on God (1 Corinthians 11:28).
• Spiritual Growth: Gathering for worship is crucial for our spiritual development. As we listen to God's word and participate in communal worship, we experience spiritual growth and transformation. 1 Corinthians 14:3 illustrates that worship edifies us, encouraging personal and collective growth in faith.
• Encouragement and Inspiration: Assemblies provide essential encouragement and inspiration. When we come together, we support each other through life's trials and triumphs. Ephesians 2:13-22 speaks of our unity in Christ, and the Swedish proverb, “a shared joy is a double joy,” encapsulates the joy we experience in community. God’s intention for us to be together is evident in Genesis 2:18 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
• Proclaim Victory: Frequent gatherings are more than a routine; they are a means of spiritual warfare. Ignatius of Antioch, an early church father, noted that regular assembly helps defeat Satan’s schemes and promotes unity of faith. This concept is supported by James 3:13-18, which describes how wisdom and unity can counteract spiritual opposition.
• Awakening: Worship has a profound impact on our perception of reality. Life’s challenges can cloud our vision and distract us from what truly matters. Psalm 73:1-28 illustrates how worship can clear spiritual confusion and help us understand God’s ultimate purpose. The psalmist, initially troubled by the prosperity of the wicked, finds clarity and renewed focus through worship in the sanctuary.

The question remains: When the call to assemble goes forth, will you be there? Understanding the value of worship and community is crucial. Our regular gatherings are not mere duties but vital aspects of our spiritual health and growth. They offer focus, growth, encouragement, victory, and awakening. As we come together, we not only fulfill a command but also experience the rich blessings of shared faith and unity.

Hannah’s Prayer

By David Norfleet

In Luke 11:1, one of Jesus’ disciples approached Him and asked “Lord, teach us to pray….”  I can relate to that question. At times I do not know what to ask for, what the wisest course of action is, or even how to properly ask for what is troubling me.  In Luke 11 Jesus responded to the question with what is known as the model prayer (Luke 11:1-8) to answer His disciple’s question.  And I believe God has responded to our unspoken need by filling His Word with great prayers to help us learn from and shape our own prayers.

One of the great prayers in Scripture is found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Overwhelmed by her childlessness, provoked by Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife, and “comforted” by an emotionally deaf husband, Hannah “was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly” (1 Samuel 1:10). But God heard Hannah’s plea, she bore a son, honored her vow, and praised God for it.

Her prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 seems to bear little resemblance to the events that evoked it.  Instead of praying, “look at what God did for me,” Hannah’s prayer is, “look at who God is!”

Hannah thinks deeply about the character and power of God. She is making realizations about God that go far beyond her situation. “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation” (v. 1). She is awed by God’s unparalleled holiness (v. 2), unsearchable wisdom (v. 3), amazing power (v. 4), and unerring justice (vv. 9-10). Her own reversal of fortunes is just one of many examples of God exalting the humble and humbling the exalted (vv. 5-8).

Do you see what Hannah’s prayer of praise is about? It is not about her, but God. The answered prayer was not just about getting what she asked for, but what the answer taught her about the God who did the answering. Hannah thought about what God did in her life and drew much bigger conclusions about what kind of God He is.

The greatest praise comes when we see that God is up to much more than just attending to our requests. I am most impressed by Hannah’s perspective. She saw the big picture. She realized that what God had done for her on a small scale, He would do for all creation one day. She realized that if God can do this for her, what can’t He do? If God cares about a lowly childless wife from the hill country of Ephraim, who can lie outside God’s sphere of care?

Let Hannah teach us how to praise God well.

Philip the Evangelist

By David Norfleet

The idea of being heralds or proclaimers of the good news of the kingdom is throughout the New Testament, but there is only one individual who specifically is identified as an “evangelist” and that is Philip (Acts 21:8). Let me offer three simple lessons from Philip’s life that make that description appropriate and worthy of our imitation.

First, Philip is a great example of loving our neighbors.  Due to Saul’s persecution, Philip leaves Jerusalem and goes—of all places—to Samaria and starts proclaiming Christ to them (Acts 8:5)!  Most Jews would not be caught dead with Samaritans (John 4:7-9; 8:48; Luke 9:51-56), but there Philip is, preaching the good news and baptizing men and women (Acts 8:12).  That shows us what the gospel of Christ will do for us—it will open our eyes to the value of a soul irrespective of race, nationality, or stature.  Like Philip, we should be willing to share the gospel with anyone as an act of God’s love.

Second, Philip shows us the power of the gospel.  He is called “the evangelist” (Acts 21:8).  Evangelist means “one who declares the good news.”  After declaring the good news to the Samaritans, Philip preaches Christ to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39). That is what happens all through the book of Acts—preachers present the evidence and build a logical case for Christ—sometimes reasoning and explaining things over a period of weeks and months and years, and because of that, people believed and obeyed.  That is what Philip did for the Samaritans (Acts 8:5,12) and for the Ethiopian (Acts 8:35,36).  Christianity is not based on blind faith or on a subjective feeling in the heart.  It is based upon the inspired word of God!  No wonder Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).  May we learn to trust in the power of the gospel!

Third, Philip shows us that we can grow older and continue the work God has given us to do.  Acts 8:40 mentions that he ends up in Caesarea.  He disappears from the record until a brief reference in Acts 21:8-14, where Paul and his companions stayed with him for several days.  It is here in the record where he’s identified as Philip the evangelist (one who declares the good news) about 20 years after the events of Acts 8.  Let’s appreciate that Philip is still evangelizing years later.  It’s one thing to start with a bang, and maybe to have a zeal fueled by the events in Acts 8, but what about when the newness wears off?  Philip’s longevity serves as a great example to us.  Can we do that?  Can we not only live for Christ through the years, but also be a proclaimer of His good news? (Especially in our families as Philip must have done as his daughters were prophetesses: Acts 21:9.)

May we imitate Philip, whose love for souls caused him to spread the good news about Jesus to whoever he could for as long as he could.

Ready To Listen

By David Norfleet

For anyone that has been in a relationship for very long, you know it is easier to stick your foot in your mouth than to take it out.  We often or frequently need help with how to communicate with others effectively.  James does so by providing inspired instruction that will help in those situations. He wrote in James 1:19, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” If we would heed this instruction it would help in all our inter-personal relationships, but especially our relationship with God.  And that seems to be James’ primary application as he points to the word of God in James 1:21, “…in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”

So, what does it means to be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” with respect to God’s word?

To be quick to hear points to an eagerness to learn and a willingness to accept the things God has to say to us.  We want instruction. We want counsel. We want wisdom from heaven. We need help. This idea is more of a disposition than an action, and it begins with humility – a recognition that we don’t have all the answers, but God does. Peter wrote in I Peter 2:2, “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”  Jesus knew of the importance of this quality in His followers so He wrote in Mark 4:24, “Take heed what you hear.”

How does being slow to speak relate to a reception of God’s word? It is generally true when you're talking or even thinking about what to say you are not listening. There is proven value in speaking less and listening more (Proverbs 10:19; 17:28), but it is critical when attending to God.  In this text being slow to speak may actually mean “slowness to start speaking,” and have specific reference to ill-considered reactions to what God has said. How will we ever receive God’s instruction if we do all the talking or if we thoughtlessly react to justify ourselves, negate Scripture’s demands, or explain the Bible away?  Our attitude needs to reflect the words of Samuel, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” (I Samuel 3:9-10)

What do you do when God’s word steps on your toes?  Maybe you’re reading it, or hearing it preached. It says something that you don’t like, because it confronts the way you think or live. Do you get angry and defensive, thinking, “What right does that preacher have to say that? How dare he tell me how to live!” Do you have these “flash-reactions” when your conscience is pricked?  That is why it is so important to be slow to anger, as an angry spirit is not a teachable spirit.  As James would write, “…the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)

Popular author Francis Chan stated, “Whenever I read the Bible and come across something that I disagree with, I have to assume I am wrong.”  He understands that the word of God and our reception of it is vital as it reveals, reproves, corrects, trains, revives us, directs us, keeps us from sin, and reveals God to us (Ephesians 3:1-4; II Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:50, 105; Psalm 19). It is no wonder the psalmist would write, “I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.” (Psalm 119:131) If we could only get out of our own way God wants to transform us through His word, James tries to help us with that by reminding us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.