CHRIST OUR SUBSTITUTE!

"Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified." -Matthew 27:26 [KJV]

God has ordered by His marvelous providence a vivid picture of every believer's Substitute. Barabbas was rightly charged, convicted and sentenced to be executed. He was found guilty of murder, robbery and sedition against Rome. When the executioner came to release him, he was told Jesus had taken his scourging and crucifixion and that he could go free.

Barabbas is a type and picture of sinners for whom Christ Jesus died (1 Timothy 1:15). We stand guilty before the law of God (Romans 3:19-20). We were justly convicted of great offences against God (Psalm 51:4). We were waiting the execution by God's holy law (Romans 6:23). However, by the order of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was sent to rescue, redeem and release sinners (Matthew 9:13; Luke 4:18).
 
Believers no more merit release and rescue than Barabbas did (Ephesians 2:1-4). But God in His sovereign grace sent the gracious Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ to take our place and set us free (1 Peter 3: 18). Christ Jesus paid our debt to God's law and justice and cleared us of all guilt (Galatians 3:10-13). Christ Jesus took our scourging and with His strips we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Christ Jesus took our death and gave us His life (1 John 5:12). He took our sin and gave us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was condemned though innocent (1 Peter 2:22), that we might be justified though guilty (Romans 3:24-26; 8:1).

There is infinite merit in all that Christ performed for His covenant people (Hebrews 2:17; Romans 5:6-11). Surely, it is right to honor and worship the Lamb of God that takes away all our sin and that brings in and freely imputes to us an everlasting righteousness (1 John 3:5; John 1:29; Romans 4:6). God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Galatians 6:14). 
 
-preacher Tom Harding

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