“Jesus Or Barabbas?” Luke 23:13-25; Matthew 27:15-23; Mark 15:6-14; John 18:39,40
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The Six Trials of Jesus: The Sixth Trial before Pilate: “Jesus or Barabbas?” Luke 23:13-25; Matthew 27:15-23; Mark 15:6-14; John 18:39,40 Introduction The previous five trials of Jesus have been shown to be a sham, an enormous miscarriage of justice. The first three religious trials had Jesus before Annas, Caiphas, and the Sanhedrin, where false charges abounded. The last three trials took place before the officials of Rome, Pilate, then Herod, then Pilate again. Both Pilate and Herod had concluded that Jesus was not guilty. Yet, because of the pressure from the religious leaders and the people, Pilate gave in to the demands for Jesus to be nailed to the cross. The enormity of evil set against the grace of God is the story of our salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. Trial #1: Jesus was taken to Annas, father-in-law of Caiaphas, high priest John 18:12-24 Trial #2: Jesus taken Caiaphas in the night Matthew 26:59-66; Mark 14:55-64 Trial #3: Because Jewish regulations forbade trying a prisoner at night, Caiaphas convened an early morning meeting of the Sanhedrin to have them declare Jesus guilty Luke 22:66-71; Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1 Trial #4: Jesus was taken for the first meeting with Pilate Matthew 27:2,11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:29-38 Trial #5: Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Luke 23:6-12 Trial #6: Jesus before Pilate for a second trial, with chief priests, rulers, and people Luke 23:13-25; Matthew 27:15-23; Mark 15:6-14; John 18:39,40 I. Pilate offers to Release either Jesus or Barabbas Matt. 27:15-23 A. During Passover, governor traditionally released a prisoner Matt. 27:15-23 B. Barabbas was a “notorious” prisoner Matthew 27:16 C. Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder Mark 15:7 D. Barabbas and his release from condemnation parallels salvation 1. Barabbas deserved to die, we stood guilty before God Rom. 3:23; 6:23 2. Jesus is the substitute for Barabbas, Jesus took our punishment 3. Like Barabbas, we were set free, with no condemnation Romans 8:1 4. And Jesus “suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God” I Peter 3:18 II. Pilate Declares for the Second Time Jesus is Not Guilty Luke 23:13-15 A. The chief priest and rulers, and “the people” reject Jesus Luke 23:13 B. Pilate finds that Jesus is not guilty of inciting rebellion Luke 23:14 C. Pilate reveals that Herod believed Jesus was not guilty Luke 23:15 III. Pilate Again Offers to Release Jesus, but the People Demand Barabbas Luke 23:16-21 A. Pilate offers to punish Jesus and release Him Luke 23:16,17 B. The chief priests, rulers, and people want Jesus crucified and Barabbas released Luke 23:18,19 C. Pilate’s wife has a dream (from God?), and warns Pilate, “have nothing to do with that righteous man” Matthew 27:19 D. Pilate wanted to release Jesus, the crowd objects Luke 23:20,21 E. Pilate becomes a modern-day example of bad decision making 1. Reconcile past sins, so they do not direct future decisions 2. Reach for goals that are godly, not worldly 3. Resolve to please God, even if it means alienation from people 4. Rely on those closest to you for counsel 5. Refuse to compromise your conscience IV. Pilate Declares for the Third Time Jesus is not Guilty Luke 23:22-25 A. For the third time, Pilate declares that Jesus is not guilty Luke 23:22 B. The voices of the people insisted Jesus be crucified Luke 23:23 C. Pilate washes his hands, symbol of not being responsible Matt. 27:24-26 D. Wishing to please the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas, had Jesus scourged, and then delivered Him for crucifixion Mark 15:15 .