“The Releasing”

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 19 Issue 12 April 12, 2009

John 8 When you lift up the Son of man, you’ll know I am He!

Luke 23:46-49 .. when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: having said this, He gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man..... And all the people beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts as they returned. All the Lord’s acquaintances and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

What caused the change in the multitude around the cross? Earlier this same crowd had demanded his death - this multitude agitated by demons cried, “crucify Him!, away with Him. Let His blood be on us and our children!”

Matthew and Mark record the Roman guard saying, "Truly this man was the Son of God." What caused the change?

The gospel writers tell us that it was when they SAW the things that were done! Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39

What was it that they saw? Let me compound this question with Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33 and Luke 23:44 there was darkness over the whole land for the space of three hours?

How could they have seen anything, during those dark hours?

I ask you, was dark because God blocked out the sun, or could it be that there was a swarm of demons around the cross?

When Jesus spoke of Satan and his kingdom, he spoke of darkness. Revelation 9 speaks of smoke coming out of the pit darkening the light of the sun. And Isaiah 60:1-2 says... For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people: but the LORD's glory shall be seen....

So what did the crowd see that day?

I believe the answers to our questions can be found in Colossians 2:13-15 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The demonic powers were armed with a weapon ... an IOU signed by us!

But the devil never expected Grace! In the final moments of His life on earth Christ according to Colossians 2 snatched the list of sins and nailed it to the cross! .... and it did not stop there! “having spoiled powers and principalities, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

¨ When that crowd around the cross saw those things that happened they were convinced!
¨ When that Roman centurion saw what had happened he praised God!

Jesus spoiled the principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. The battle was won at the cross! Not hidden, but in public view! The Word says that Jesus spoiled the principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly.... Colossians 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
This was at the CROSS .... And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly!

I Corinthians 1:22-24 the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumblingblock, to the Greeks foolishness; But to them which are called, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

There is a principle here, that many have missed completely! But we preach Christ crucified... Paul said something even stronger in I Corinthians 2:2 I determined not to know any thing among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

We must preach Christ crucified for it is the power of God to salvation!

I Corinthians 1:18 ... the preaching of the cross is the power of God.

Friends of Jesus take comfort in the truth that Christ’s redemptive work for His Church is finished! Her outstanding debt has been paid - there’s no mortgage on Christ’s inheritance.

Those bought with the blood are forever clear of all charges - saved to the utter most!

With all of this in mind I bring you one last thought:

It is not enough to tell people about Jesus, we need to release Jesus to them.

At the Feast of the Passover it was customary to release a prisoner. They had in custody a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. So when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who do you want me to release to you?”

Barabbas a convicted criminal or Jesus, which is called Christ?

The chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus...... so they cried out all at once, saying, Not this man, Not Jesus, but Barabbas... Away with Jesus and release to us Barabbas:

It is strange that the man released had been rightly convicted of the very charges of sedition on which Jesus was wrongly condemned.

Jesus represents SPIRITUAL LIVING - HOPE - FAITH - FORGIVENESS

Barabbas represents WORLDLY LIVING - GUILT - SIN - FLESH

Pilate released Barabbas and turned Jesus over to be whipped and then crucified.

This whipping was so painful that the strongest men sometimes died under it alone.

It was prophesied of Christ in Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Over 600 solders spat on Him, they beat on Him and they plucked His beard! And when they had finished their cruel mocking they led him away to be crucified. Yet even then as Jesus hung on the cross He asked the Father to forgive the people..... And that my friends is GOOD NEWS!

Our dying Christ cried "It is finished" and the veil of the temple was ripped in half. Its tearing from top to bottom shows it is God's own act. The tearing points to the destruction of the barriers which excluded sinners from God's presence. Jesus Himself became the sacrifice and the veil no other sacrifice or mediator is necessary!

The solders were told to make the tomb secure! How many graves do you know that have a lock on them, let alone guards posted around it? They sealed the tomb with a Rome Seal: break it and you were dead meat!

A squad of Roman soldiers were put in front. And a large Stone was put in front.

No matter the precautions, no matter the size of the stone, no matter the guards That was Friday, but a glorious Sunday was a coming and the power of God would be seen!

On resurrection Sunday the Stone was rolled away and the tomb was found to be empty - Christ the Lord had risen!

He’s Alive! And I’m Forgiven!
The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they couldn't stop Him. Pilate could find no fault, and the witnesses could not agree. Herod could not kill Him. Death could not handle Him, and thank God Almighty the grave could not hold Him!

May we cry out "Give us Jesus!" “Away with Barabbas!”
You can release the finished work of Calvary - the gospel of Jesus Christ! Our dying Christ cried "It is finished". God was fully revealed in the death of Christ. The tomb is empty! But His salvation is full!

Because of Christ’s victorious cry you and I can be saved - the debt of the law has been satisfied - mercy and grace now triumph. Now understand this - if Christ has finished the work for us - he will also finish the work in us!