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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #425 February 25, 2002 A NEW GEM FROM OLD GROUND With it being the season of Lent, much of my Bible study of late has been around the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s familiar ground as I have read the accounts more times than I can remember. One of the marvellous things about the Word of God is that through it, He constantly reveals Himself in new ways as you spend time with Him. That happened to me again yesterday. The setting: Jesus has been taken prisoner by the chief priests and elders and is taken to Pontius Pilate for sentencing. Pilate does not want to execute Jesus and is looking for a way out. Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." 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 Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27:15-26 NIV I have read this passage many times, often in public at Good Friday services. I was always amazed at the cold heartedness of the crowd and in that amazement missed the miracle. Did you catch it? Did you see the miraculous in this set of verses? Barabbas, a murderer and worse is set free and Jesus the Son of God Himself is sent off to die. What brilliant foreshadowing of the morrows events, what good news for all of us. We’re all like Barabbas, sinners under the penalty of death, yet we’re set free by the sacrifice of an innocent man. The miracle is that Jesus’ death freed the condemned man, just as His death frees us. Until next time, may you reflect on what a miracle His death and resurrection is to all who will accept Him. What a glorious sacrifice for the worthy to make for the unworthy. Hallelu Yah Kevin Have you accepted this Jesus who paid the price for your sins? All your mistakes can be washed away and you can be restored to a right relationship with Him. Email me and I’ll share a few Bible verses that explain why a relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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