Barabbas or Jesus

Introduction:

Family this morning we are presented with one of the most pivotal moments in history—the trial and condemnation of Jesus Christ. As we examine the events leading up to His crucifixion, we see not only the injustice of wicked and weak men; we also see the sovereign plan of God unfolding too.

Jesus was bound and delivered, not because of weakness, but as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Today, we need to consider the weight of indecision, the consequences of compromise, and the call to unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

The question set before us is the same question Pilate faced: what will you do with Jesus?

vv. 1–5) Charged:

[1] This was the official daylight trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin described in Luke 22:66–71.

This trial was held immediately, in the morning for a good reason. The detail of Jesus being delivered to Pilate’s forum early in the morning is important because it is a significant index of the historical accuracy of tradition. It was necessary for the Sanhedrin to bring its business to Pilate as soon after dawn as possible because the working day of a Roman official began at the earliest hour of daylight. Legal trails in the Roman forum were customarily held shortly after sunrise.

There is a picture of sacrifice here as well. In the OT, sacrifices were to be bound with cords:

Psalm 118:27 NKJV

27 God is the Lord, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

Christ was “bound…and carried away; and delivered” as the great Sacrifice for you and I.

Hebrews 10:5–14 NKJV

5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ” 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

[2] The Jewish leaders took Jesus to Pilate because they did not have the legal right to execute their own criminals. That was one of the consequences of rebellion against the Roman empire.

There were times however when the Jews completely disregarded this prohibition of capital punishment and executed those they considered criminals. One such example is the stone of Stephen in Acts 7:57–60.

However, they did not take things into their own hands regarding Jesus because they knew the multitudes had a favorable opinion of Jesus and if Pilate (someone they hated) executed Him, they could distance themselves from the political fallout.

These Jewish leaders had reason to expect a favorable result when they sent Jesus to Pilate. Secular history shows us he was a cruel, ruthless man, and completely insensitive to the moral feelings of others—surely they thought, Pilate will put Jesus to death.

Pilate: Pilate was the procurator of Judea. He was directly responsible to the Roman Emperor for the administrative and financial management of the country. A man had to work himself up through the political and military ranks to become a procurator. Pilate was, therefore, an able man, experienced in the affairs of politics and government as well as the military. He held office for ten years, which shows he was deeply trusted by the Roman government. However, the Jews despised Pilate; and Pilate despised the Jews, in particular their intense practice of religion. When Pilate became procurator of Judea, he did two things which aroused the people’s bitter hatred against him forever. First, on his state visits to Jerusalem, he rode into the city with the Roman standard, an eagle sitting atop a pole. All previous governors had removed the standard because the Jews’ opposition to idols. Second, Pilate launched the construction of a new water supply for Jerusalem. To finance the project, he took money out of the temple treasury. The Jews never forgot or forgave this act. They bitterly opposed Pilate all through his reign, and he treated them with equal contempt. On several occasions Jewish leaders threatened to exercise their right to report Pilate to the emperor. This disturbed Pilate tremendously, causing him to become even more bitter toward the Jews.

I believe for certain Pilate was suspicious of the Jews, when they brought him a prisoner for execution. Suspecting there was a hidden agenda at play.

Nevertheless, before Pilate could make a decision, he had to follow the normal procedures for a trial. Just like everything the Romans did, there was established procedure for a criminal trial—Trials were public by principle.

The plaintiff brought an indictment against the accused.

The magistrate—the judge—examined both the accusation and the accused.

The two main sources of evidence were the statements of the accused and evidence brought by witnesses, either for or against the accused.

When all the evidence was received, a court official declared that all the evidence was in.

The magistrate was then free to consult with advisors, and then announce his verdict from the judgement seat. The sentence was executed immediately.

It is important to note Mark’s gospel picks up the trial of Jesus at the second step—the charges were brought to Pilate:

“This man is guilty of treason because He claims to be the king of the Jews in opposition to Caesar.” Hence, Pilate’s statement of: “Are you the king of the Jews?”

The Jewish rulers knew if they brought Jesus before Pilate on the charge of claiming to be God, Pilate wouldn’t care. After all, Romans had hundreds of Gods, what is the harm with one more.

Yet, bringing Jesus before Pilate as the King of the Jews, Pilate would have to take Jesus seriously as a potential political threat, because there could be no king but Caesar, and he was Caesar’s representative.

It is rather ironic, Jesus stood accused of doing exactly what He refused to do: take a political stand against Roman.

Also understand, Jesus was indeed the king of the Jews, but not in a political or military way. This is why He answered Pilate with a “yes.” It is important to see the response of Jesus “it is as you say.” If Jesus answered plainly with “yes,” he would be found guilty immediately. However, because of the answer Jesus gave it merited further examination.

Luke’s gospel actually tells us what these accusations were:

Luke 23:2 NKJV

2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

Luke 23:5 NKJV

5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

[3] The chief priest must have seen from Pilate’s manner, a smile on his face perhaps, he did not take the confession seriously. Hence they accused Him of many things.

[4–5] No doubt, Pilate had seen many men grovel for their lives before him. He also stood in judgment of many men as the governor of a Roman province. Yet there was something different about Jesus Pilate marveled at.

“Such silence was wholly unusual in the forum, and demonstrated a presence and a dignity which puzzled the prefect.”

Jesus’ purpose was to surrender to the sinful behavior of men. The sinful behavior:

was the very depth of sin itself.

The ultimate demonstration of sin.

The greatest sin which could be committed.

The sin to which Jesus subjected Himself was the rejection and killing of the Son of God. Standing before His accusers, He said nothing, enduring their awful indignities. he endured because He was purposed to die for the sins of men.

Family, indecision is one of the grossest mistakes mankind can make. A mistake which dooms far to many. There is no excuse for indecision; the evidence Jesus is the Savior of the world is clearly seen to any open and honest heart. This is why you cannot claim Christ to be a good moral teacher; He is either liar, lunatic, or Lord.

Matthew 6:24 NKJV

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

1 Corinthians 10:21 NKJV

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

James 1:8 NKJV

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

1 Kings 18:21 NKJV

21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.

vv. 6–15) Condemned:

[6] Pilate knew Jesus was an innocent man,

Luke 23:14 NKJV

14 said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him;

Yet he had a politically explosive situation on his hands. He had the choice between doing what was right or what was politically expedient. Either free an innocent man or execute a man brought before him by the Jews for treason.

Pilate could see through their manipulation though, as the text states in verse 10, “he knew that the chief priests had handed him over because of envy.” This i’m sure made Pilate want to find a way to free Jesus even more.

[7] We are told of Pilates’s notorious criminal he had in prison at this very moment, Barabbas, who was a robber, insurrectionist, and murderer (John 18:40). Pilate felt sure by pitting Barabbas against Jesus, the people would choose Jesus, the One who had ministered and helped so many of them (and if he didn’t know that, Jesus still was the innocent man).

How wrong Pilate was… after all he was a man of compromise. The world will always cry out against Jesus to get rid of Him.

Note the moral weakness of Pilate. He knew Jesus was innocent. He knew the Jews sought to kill Jesus because they envied Him. Pilate attempted a compromise instead of doing what was right.

When the truth is known, it should be proclaimed not compromised. Compromise results in three tragedies.

Weakens character and testimony.

Means the truth is not being sought after or lived out. A person is agreeing to do something less than what they should be doing.

Weakens principles, position, and life.

I want to make this perfectly clear… God accepts no compromise concerning Jesus Christ, His Son. A man either stands for Him or against Him. There is no neutral ground. Jesus is the innocent, sinless Son of God in whom all men are to place their trust and lives in.

1 John 5:11–12 NKJV

11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

[8] This Jewish multitude—mostly Jews from Jerusalem, because most of the visiting pilgrims stayed out in the country (Mark 15:21) and were not in the city this early—didn’t like or trust Pilate. When he suggested the release of one of two prisoners, they immediately chose the other one, as much as anything just to be “against” the Roman magistrate.

For the people it was simple. They trusted their Sanhedrin.

I believe this is a rather telling sign that this crowd was not the same crowd of people who followed him in during the triumphal entry and in the temple. Because it was their plan to get this over with before the Galilean sympathizers arrived.

[9] In the midst of this, Pilate believed he found a way to do what was right, yet not pay a price for it.

This is a strange scene because, a ruthless Roman governor was trying to win the life of a miracle-working Jew against the strenuous efforts of both the Jewish leaders and the crowd.

[11-13] Pilate was convinced the crowd would release Jesus, yet instead they chose Barabbas…

The word “insurrectionists” basically amounts to “terrorists.” Barabbas was a real political enemy of Rome, not a falsely accused political enemy, as Jesus was.

Again Pilate probably hoped the grow would be satisfied with a lesser punishment—beating Jesus then letting him go. I’m sure Pilate was surprised they cried out more exceedingly, “Crucify Him!”

Pilate found himself in a dangerous place. The crowd was almost becoming a riot. If there was one thing which would get him in trouble with his superiors, it was a riot.

With both the people and the Jewish rulers demanding the death of Jesus, Pilate was unwilling to oppose them both, and began the process of execution by having Jesus scourged.

I want to make a few points here:

Men who are set on doing evil will try and influence others in order to get their way.

The influence of wicked men upon other people cannot be ignored. Evil people do in fact influence others. To ignore the fact is to allow the infiltration and growth of more and more evil.

2 Timothy 3:13 NKJV

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

If i may, rag—in love—on morally weak men…

Pilate was a morally weak man.

He was not strong enough to do what was right

He lacked the strength to stand up for what was right.

And he was too weak to declare the truth.

Men it is not your wife’s job to be the leader or magistrate of your home… God has given you an important responsibility.

1 Kings 18:21 NKJV

21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.

Pilate was more willing to satisfy and please the people, mind you who hated his guts, that to do what what was right.

Fear, lay behind his decision—the fear:

of losing the people’s favor.

of causing problems for himself.

of losing his position and security.

So he had Jesus scourged. Then released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be crucified.

He was too weak:

to stand for the truth.

to declare the truth as thing which should be pursued.

to free himself of the evil influences.

1 John 2:15–16 NKJV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Hebrews 11:24–25 NKJV

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

So what about you this morning, are you filled with fear? Or are you spiritual to weak to stand up for what is right?

vv. 16–20) Crowned:

[16-17] Most of you probably know that a king of that day often wore a purple robe and a gilded wreath of leaves. The rag of purple and crown of thorns mocked this common practice.

The clock was probably a scarlet military cloak. A cast-off and faded rag, but with some color enough to suggest the royal purple.

[18] It was common to greet the Roman emperor with the cry, “Hail, Caesar!” These soldiers were twisted this statement to further mock Christ.

They struck Jesus and from:

Matthew 27:29 NKJV

29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

it seems the soldiers first gave Jesus the reed—a stick—to hold as if it were a royal scepter. Then grabbed it from His hand and hit him in the head with it…

Bowing the knee was a standard act of respect to any king. Instead of giving the normal kiss of warm respect, they continually spat on him.

“See that scarlet robe; it is a contemptuous imitation of the imperial purple that a king wears…See, above all, that the crown upon his head. It has rubies in it, but the rubies are composed of his own blood, forced from hiss blessed temples by the cruel thorns. See they pay him homage; but the homage is their own filthy spittle which runs down his cheeks. They bow the knee before him, but it is only in mockery. They salute him with the cry, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ but it is done in scorn. Was there ever grief life his?”—Spurgeon

After all of this abuse and the scourging Jesus was forced to march in a parade, led by a centurion on horseback and a herald who shouted the crime of the condemned. This was Rome’s way of advertising a crucifixion, and to make the people afraid of offending Rome.

Philippians 2:6–8 NKJV

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

It is this very procession Jesus was referring to when He asked people to take up their cross and follow me:

Mark 8:34 NKJV

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Few points in closing:

Jesus never attempted to be freed instead of Barabbas because He came for the purpose of securing freedom for Barabbas.

Barabbas is a physical representation of a spiritual reality for every one of us.

We need the gospel:

Accountable

Bad News

Good News

Response

Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’