The Substitute Lamb'

Introduction

Today is Palm Sunday a Day to remember Jesus’s Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

This is a day that marks the beginning of the Passion Week of Christ- which ends with Jesus rising from the grave which we will celebrate together next week on Easter Sunday!.

Last week we saw Jesus as the promised lamb of God , The fulfillment of all Messianic prophesies ion the old testament.

This week I want us to see Jesus Christ as the Substitute Lamb of God-

This passion week story , is all about Jesus- it’s all about what length he was willing to go in order to save you and me and to redeem us back to God.

But right in the middle of this story that is all about Jesus, a New Character is introduced.

A character that on the surface may seem insignificant, in fact, most of us probably just read right through the few verses that include him in the story.

I want to begin today by reading this man’ story and then consider together what the impact of his story has for our lives today.

Turn with me in your Bibles to Mark 15:1-20 and listen along as I read the story of man named Barabbas.

Mark 15:1–20 (ESV)

1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. 6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 16 And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.

It’s not hard for us to see that this story is all about Jesus and His love for you and me.

But I believe that as we look at Barabbas’ story together, We will have a better understanding of Gods love for us today.

The first thing we need to understand is that Barabbas was a guilty Criminal condemned to Die.

Barabbas: A Guilty Criminal

Dramatic story:

Barabbas had always been a troublemaker.

He was bad news,

He was rotten to the core.

There was nothing good about Barabbas’ life.

This was a guy that you wanted to avoid if you saw him coming down the road.

The Bible tells us that He was a notorious rebel who stirred up other people to riot and caused insurrections in the community,

He was a thief that had no remorse,

and on top of that he was a murderer that had no regard for human.

Barabbas was a bad dude,

He caused problem after problem in his community. And the people wanted him Gone.

When It comes to people being hted by the community- There was no one that they should have hated more than Barabbas..

- There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Barabbas was a guilty man deserving the penalty of death that he was sentenced to face.

AND THEN THERE WAS JESUS- The main character of our story- Another man who was now put on trial before the Roman Judge Pontius Pilot-

Pilot was a politician who loved his position of power and He always did what he thought would benefit himself the most.

He was a shrewd man who knew that the religious leaders were jealous of Jesus' popularity and were eager to get him out of the picture.

As He questioned Jesus, he could not find anything that Jesus was guilty of doing.

And I’m telling you this man would have looked for any way He could twist the truth into making Jesus look guilty so that He didn't have to go against the Jewish leaders. But as He met with Jesus and as His accusers continued to throw lie after lie at him, Pilot was impressed by Jesus' calm demeanor and wise answers. He could see that Jesus was no ordinary man.

But the crowd outside was growing restless. They wanted blood.

Pilot was in a predicament- On the one hand If he were to let Jesus go the Jewish people that he was suppose to be in control over might revolt against him, and on the other hand if he condemned this innocent man to death for crimes He did not commit, his blood would be on his hands.

The crowd grew more and more restless and They demanded that Pilate release one prisoner as was the custom during the Passover festival.

Pilate thought he had a clever solution to his problem. Instead of himself choosing which criminal to release this year, He would let the people choose between Jesus the innocent man and Barabbas, the notorious criminal who was already condemned to die for his hernias crimes.

In pilots’s mind this is a no brainer- There is no way the people would set free the man who had murdered their sons and daughters and condemn the man who had healed them.

And so He asked the crowd, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus, or Barabbas?"

And To the amazement of Pilot the people shouted "We want Barabbas!"

Pilate was astonished. He had expected them to choose Jesus, who had done no wrong.

and so Pilate asked them again, Are you sure you want Barabbas? and they continued to shout out “We want Barabbas, We want Barabbas”. and So pilot answered "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?"

And the crowd in angerShouted out, "Crucify him!" Crucify Him, Crucify Him.

Pilate, seeing no other way to appease the crowd, reluctantly gave in to their demands. He released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified.

END OF STORY

What A story we have in this text.

Here is man who was already condemned to die. He was guilty- and everyone knew it.

In fact, as a rebel he would have prided himself on his crimes, He would have bragged about the sins he had committed against others.

This man was bad news and everyone knew it..

But yet- He was set free, Because Jesus took his place.....

Jesus was his innocent Substitute.

Jesus: the Innocent Substitute

I imagine that as Barabbas was freed from his chains, he couldn't believe his luck.

He had escaped judgement once again.

He had been moments away from his own execution, but now he was free.

Jesus the innocent man was now condemned to die in his place.

The cross that Barabbas deserved to hang on was now going to be carried by the Innocent lamb of God.

The Bible doesn't tell us any more about Barabbas.

His story has ended

We dont know whether or not he ever believed in Jesus, we dont know if he ever confessed his sins and changed.

What we know is that a man who was guilty of sin and condemned to Die was now set free because an innocent substitute took His place.

Jesus Christ was His perfect substitute.

A guilty sinner recieved freedom because Christ took upon himself the sinner’s condemnation.

Did you notice what Mark said whenJesus was accused of crimes that he did not commit? he stayed silent. He didn’t give a defense of why he was innocent that wasn’t his purpose. His purpose was not to prove how right he was and how wrong the Religious leaders were. That’s what the Law was given for- The law is what proves to mankind how imperfect they are!

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. His mission was to die for innocent people.

Jesus Christ was not on trial because the religious leaders out witted Him...

He was not condemned to Die because Pilot ordered his death....

Jesus Christ willingly took Barabbas’ place on that Cross.

(DRAMATIC REENACTMENT)

I can hear the disciples of Jesus in the crowd looking at Jesus and begging him to stand up for himself.

“Jesus You have done nothing wrong, you don’t deserve this, Jesus Defend yourself. Why would you keep quiet and die for this man? You know what he has done. Jesus, You of all people know that he deserves to pay for his crimes.

Why Jesus, Why would you be willing to die for this man?

“Because He’s Worth it, Because my love for him is greater than his sins against me.”

“Jesus, I know you think Barabbas is worth it, but why would you want to die for Him, Shouldn’t he have to pay for all the wrong he has done?

“I came to save lost sinners just like Barabbas, I have come to be their substitute, to pay the debt they owe for their sins, so that they too can have freedom”

Church family- What’s Amazing to me is that Jesus didn’t wait for Barabbas to get right before he stepped in as a substitute.

Jesus didn’t wait for Barabbas to confess all of sins before he said I am willing to die for you.

Jesus willingly went to the cross, while Barabbas was still guilty of sin.

Because his motivation was not based on Barabbas’ love for Him but on the fathers love for Barabbas.

The Jewish Leaders did not outwit Jesus, The Crowd did not condemn Jesus to die, The blood of Jesus was not on Pilot’s hands.

This was Jesus’s plan along -He willingly took Barabbas’ place- He willingly endured the punishment and torture Barabbas deserved, and He willingly hung on that cross as payment for Barabbas sin. All because He knew there was no other way to redeem Barabbas back to God.

Transition: What a story of love this is.

an innocent man willingly chose to die in the place of an evil sinner.

All because of his perfect love for that rebellious man.

So how does this story relate to us today?

Well the reality is this: You are a Barabbas, I am a Barabbas.

Point number #3

YOU: A GUILTY CRIMINAL

The Bible tells in Romans 3 we are all in our rebellion against God

In verse 10 is says there is no one who is good not even one, there is noone who seeks after God not even one and then in verse 23

Romans 3:23 (ESV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

You area Barabbas- You are in rebellion against God in your sins.

Barabbas was: a rebel, a murderer, a thief, a sinner just like you and me.

Do you know what the name Barabbas means?

it’s an Aramaic name that means” Son of a father” that has to be the most generic human name possible

***You see him walking down the street and you ask your buddy “Hey, who is that guy over - uhh thats the son of his father-

That name is the most generic description of a mankind, there is no one here that this name does not describe

- I dont think that it is just a coincidence in Scripture that the guilty man who recieved freedom because of Jesus has a name that describes everyone of us here today,

Barabbas represents all of humanity.

We are all in rebellion against God, We are all guilty of sin in our lives-

and Romans 6:23 tells us that just like Barabbas we are all condemn to to die because of our sins (James 2:10- keep whole , offend one= guilty of all)

There was nothing Barabbas could do on his own to escape the judgment that was coming- He was found guilty-He was condemned to die. and until Jesus willingly stepped in and took his place there was no hope.

Transition: We can praise the lord today- because just like Barabbas Jesus willingly wants to step into your life and be your substitute.

He wants to take your place and pay your debt of sin so that you can be set free,

JESUS WANTS YOUR INNOCENT SUBSTITUTE

JESUS: THE INNOCENT SUBSTITUTE

Story about my dad taking my punishment for me.

I’ve shared the store before, but I can’t think of any greater example in my life that illustrates what Jesus did for me on the cross.

When I was a boy, I I was getting into trouble at school, and the rule was that when I got in trouble at school I got in more trouble when I got home.

I came home one night after getting in trouble went to the principals office and the punishment was a spanking so my dad and Love brought me into his room shut the door, shut me down on his bed and we’re gonna talk to me about what I had done and he said Jason, do you know what you did was wrong message yes but who cares it’s my said I can do what I want is Jason do you realize that Jesus wants to pay for your sins, so yeah I know we paid for it but I can still take my own punishment and he goes OK.

I bent over the edge his bed. He took his belt, gave me a swat on my backside -because I deserved it. I was guilty.

That was the punishment I deserved.

and I thought to myself- It was still worth it, no big deal, it’s over, I got my way and now I can go play and not deal with this anymore.

The next day I got into more trouble. My heart wasn’t right I hadn’t changed my attitude- and when my dad got home from work, he asks me, “Jason, what’s going on? Why are you being so naughty?

I quickly answer him “I’m just tired of everybody being on my case, it’s my life, I can do whatever I want.”

My Dad loving responds, “it is your life and you can choose how you are going to live it, but there are still consequences for your sins.

In my mind- the punishment was worth the sin, I was ok getting a swat on the backside, because I didn't want to give up my sin.

My dad in love Said Jason - This is the second day you got in trouble, you know the rules and the consequences. I bent over his bed and took the two spankings I deserved. I knew the consequences and still felt like my sin was worth it.

The Next day my heart wasn’t any better- in fact it was probably even more calloused towards my sin- and I got in even more trouble. My Dad comes home and I can can see the hurt in his eyes, but I really didn’t care because I liked my sin and I wasn’t ready to give it up. Again I took my punishment and walk away.

the next day, I continue to just be a naughty wreck. I got in more trouble, and when my dad came home after work, My mom told him all the things I had done.

He takes me to his room again and sits me down next him, and I can tell something is not right, I have pushed him to his limit. With tears in his eyes he looks at me and says,

“Jason what’s going on? Somethings not right in your heart. You’re not happy, you’re not joyful…, you’re angry , and you dont seem to care that you keep on sinning. Jason, you need to get right with God.”

I remember looking back at him trying to stay in control of my life and I simply said ,

“ I don’t care. It’s my life, and I’m willing to take the punishment for my sin.”

With tears starting to come down my dad’s face, he looked at me and said, “Jason , i don’t think you understand what Jesus really did for you. You don’t seem to get that Jesus paid the price for this sin, Jason, this sin that you keep doing requires death, Jesus died on the cross in your place, he paid the debt that this sin requires, you’re not the one paying for it. Jesus already paid the price.”

And I said to him, I know Jesus died for me but Im willing to take the punishment for my sins, just give me my spanking so this can be over.”

As I said these words, My Dad began to take his own shirt off, and in my mind I’m thinking “I may have gone to far this time- I’m really gonna get it. “

He tells me to stand up and then He pulls his belt from around his waist and hands it to me, and then kneels down over the edge of his bed.

I’ll never forget the next words of his his mouth, “Jason I love you so much that even though you are angry with me, Even though You continue to sin, Even though you know you deserve this punishment, I’m going to take your place, and take all of your punishment upon my self.” And Jason, after I take it- you will be free- you can go and play because you debt it paid in full.”

I said to him “this doesn't make any sense- why would I spank you when you didn't do anything wrong?”

(dad) “Because I love you.”

(me) “ why dont you just forgive me and let it go?”

(Dad) “Because you broke the rules and there are consequences for your sin. Some one has to pay the price otherwise you are still guilty.”

He told me that because of my continued disobedience I deserved 5 spankings that day-

After arguing some more, I knew I wasn’t getting out of this, and so I took the belt and softly slapped his back with the belt, and he said “Jason that didn’t hurt, and the consequences of our sin bring us great pain -you have to hit me harder, I slapped him again, “not good enough” Finally I swung the belt and it left a red streak across his back, and I cried- “this isn’t fair- You didn’t do it, Ill take my spankings....”

He simply said, “that was one- Go again”, Smack,"that was two”, then three then four and and now with tears pouring down my face seeing my dad’s back red because He was taking my punishment I gave him the last swat.

and immediately when it was done, he sat up with tears in eyes and said “Jason It was worth it, because I love you”

At that moment, I finally understood what Jesus did for me on the cross.

I understood that my sin’s consequences matter-

Jesus took my place,

He willingly paid my debt for my rebellion

because he loved me.

Because he cared for me

because he knew that if I had to pay my own debt it would take an eternity in the lake of fire.

END OF STORY

Do you get the picture?

Do you understand that you stand completely guilty before a perfect God-

And your rebellion demands eternal separation from God forever -that’s the punishment for your sins.

The price has to be paid. God cannot let it slide. Otherwise, he would not be a perfect just God.

And this is where Jesus comes into your life…

Romans 5:8 (ESV)

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God wants to step into your life as a loving father and pay your debt in full.

He is offering himself as a substitute sacrifice for your sins,, He is saying to you today “ I desperately want to take the punishment for you and set you free.”

We need to realize that we are just like Barabbas we are still in our sin- We are guilty -we are condemned to die.

but We have a God, who, in great love, said there is nothing I would not do to redeem you, to pay your debt and set you free.

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Jesus Christ willingly wants to take your place and pay your debt of sin in full so that you can be free.

BRING IT HOME

What an illustration of God’s love for us we see in the life of Barabbas.

A guilty man escaped the punishment he deserved because an innocent substitute willingly took his place.

(TO THE LOST)

if you’re here today and you have never excepted Jesus Christ as your substitute- you are still condemned to die.

You are Barabbas- you have been found guilty , you are on death row waiting for your eternal execution condemned to a the pit of fire called hell .

Jesus wants to take your place- He wants to be your substitute.

What is keeping you from excepting Jesus today?

Don’t wait until its to late

There’s no time to waste, your execution is only moment s away. The Bible tells that after we die our eternal destiny is sealed. there are no second chances- Either you accept Jesus as your substitute today or you will pay your debt of sin forever in the lake of fire.

Barabbas accepted Jesus as His substitute and was immediately set free- I guarantee that if he would’ve said, no I’m guilty I’m gonna die for my own sins, he would’ve been hung on the cross next to Jesus, But that’s not what He did. He willingly accepted Jesus as his substitute and he walked away a free man .

You too must accept Jesus as your substitute- Just knowing what He is willing to do is not enough,

The Bible says you must accept Him as your own.

What is keeping you from excepting Jesus into your life today?

Christians

Have you forgotten what Jesus did for you on that cross?

Have you become callous to the sins in your life?

Have you come to the point in your life where you like your sins more than you love Jesus?

Next week Lord Willing we will celebrate Easter together ass a church family. we rejoice in the victory that Christ brings us through his death burial and resurrection from the grave.

We have so much to be thankful for as his church and the question I have for you is this

if you truly understand the magnitude of what Jesus did when he paid your debt on the cross, why do you continue to live a lifestyle of sin that you know He paid for already with his life?

why do you continue to choose to be angry when you know Jesus paid for that sin

why do you choose to continue to be selfish when you know Jesus paid for that anger

why do you choose to live in a life of sexual sin when you know Jesus paid for that sin

why do you choose to be lustful, Hurtful, sorrowful, self pitiful?

Why do you choose to continue down a path of sin when you know that God in his great love, sent Jesus Christ to hang on the cross that was meant for you- a cross you deserved because of your sinfulness?

The real question we should ask ourselves is this “ Do I love my sin more than I love the savior who died for that sin.”

Christians I pray that today Gods word has spoken in your life, I pray that you understand the magnatude of what Jesus endured to pay the debt of that sin you are unwilling to give to him.

Let’s pray