A Robber for a Rabbi

John 18:39-40

Message No. 0705 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

When an innocent person is wrongfully convicted of a crime, it is called miscarriage of justice. However, it is especially painful when the person convicted was trying to help the victim. This is the reason why many good people are scared of helping people who have been knocked off the road in a hit and run accident or people who were discovered to have been beaten and left for dead by criminals. Sometimes when you stop to help, you’re not only risking your life because the crime perpetrators might still be lurking in the corner, or worse, the police might turn their attention to you, accuse you, and you may end up spending a long time in prison.

In 2003, Kimberly Long (USA) arrived home and discovered that her boyfriend had been beaten to death in the living room. She immediately called 911 but when the police came, they charged her with the crime, for which she pleaded that she was being wrongfully accused. The police did not believe her, but instead produced someone who purportedly saw her in the scene of the murder. She was tried twice, the first jury could not reach a verdict but the second delivered a conviction. She spent 11 years in prison before it was discovered that the testimony of the police’s star witness was unreliable. It was at this time that they resorted to forensic pathology, which exonerated the accused.

All Jesus did when He was on earth was, good. He healed the sick, raised the dead and set the oppressed free. He confronted the oppressors and those who traded in self-righteousness, and He preached repentance and forgiveness of sins. He came primarily to reconcile the Jews back to their Maker. How did they pay Him back? They accused Him daily on their streets and reported Him to the very people who oppressed them, from whom He was trying to set them free. They hated Him so much that they demanded that He be crucified, and a violent robber released from prison. In John chapter 18 verses 39 and 40, Pilate, before whom they accused Jesus, asked the Jews:

"But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" Then they all cried again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.

Have you ever spent time and resources helping someone and all the person did to respond to your kindness and generosity was to hate you, wrongly accuse you and wanted to take advantage of you? This has happened to many people, and this was exactly what happened to Jesus. His offence was doing good, and He continues to do good till today. The question is, how will you response to His good? How will you respond to the sacrifice He paid, by dying for you the painful death of the cross? He became a sinner (our sins were put upon Him) to save you from your sins, and He was cursed to take away your own curses.

This easter, what will it be for you? Will you respond like the Jews responded or will you thankfully accept the sacrifice that He so gracefully paid for you? Will you surrender your life to Him and ask Him to be your Lord and savior? Will you repent of your sins and live the holy life that your Creator expects of you. The risk of leaving this decision till later is the equivalence of living eternity in continuous pain and agony. Will you consider this and accept this free gift today? Will you encourage others to accept the gift also?

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 PLEASE ACT NOW:
 If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!