Easter 2025

INTRODUCTION:

Pulled over 7 times - God’s number haha

Christmas eve story - haven’t even drank communion.

PART 1 COURT ILLUSTRATION - Only once have I had to go to court - Still nervous.

CONTEXT:

Before we can understand the resurrection, we must understand the cross. To understand the cross, we must understand the trail.

Religious leaders hated Jesus. Wanted to kill him, but couldn’t.

They make up fake charges and bring him to the Roman governor Pilate.

Matthew 27:11–14 “11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.”

Pilate says, so I hear you are claiming to be king of the Jews and trying to lead a revolt. Is this true?

Instead of saying anything, he says your words not mine.

In reality, the truth is yes. KING OF KINGS. Yet, he stayed quite. Why? This is different than you and me.

PART 2 COURT ILLUSTRATION - Man gave defence. But was still guilty. Order in the court: Next Joel Hastings. I’m guilt your honor.

Pilate had a predicament: He knew Jesus was innocent and he didn’t want to kill him, but he also knew if he just let him go the religious leaders would start a revolt and the last thing he wanted was revolt.

Matthew 27:15–18 “15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.”

Tradition was he would let a prisinor go. This was a PR stunt to appease the people.

ILLUSTRATION: Kinda like when President pardons turkey at Thanksgiving.

haha - beth and brothers would scare turkeys, it was a pardon it was torture.

So this was Pilate’s plan, get a guy that was supposed to die later that day. A notorious criminal that everyone would have hated, named Barabbas.

Of course they would want to release Jesus, Barabbas was a criminal and he knew they were just jealous of Jesus.

Matthew 27:19 “19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.””

Pilate gets a message from his wife. Every husband knows you better pay attention haha.

But know even dreams, and the evidence, everything was saying Jesus was innocent.

Matthew 27:20 “20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.”

Ask for Barabbas - This is shocking. Barabbas, who shows up in all 4 gospels. Is Thief, robber, murderer and insurrectionist. In that time period if someone led a revolt they would punish him and other people around him.

What makes it more interesting is Barabbas - means son of a Father

First name is Jesus - These are two identical men and yet opposite men.

Leviticus day of atonement, - One was going to die, the other was going to be sent away for freedom.

Little did they understand that day there was going to be another scapegoat. While everyone expected Jesus to be released.

SERIOUS TURN:

Matthew 27:21–23 “21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!””

Pilate is shocked, when he gives them the opportunity to choose, they chose Barabbas!

Act out dramatically.

Matthew 27:24–26 “24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.”

Riot - The very thing he wanted to avoid.

As if water was going to be the thing that cleanse you. No there was only one thing that could cleanse this off and it was the blood of the lamb.

His blood be on us and our children - that was the most tur thing they said all day.

Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.” - What happened to Barabbas? Did he stay and watch?

Scourging - whipping,

crucified - nails, and torture.

BARABBAS COULD LITERALLY SAY JESUS TOOK MY CROSS AND MY PUNISHMENT.

CONCLUSION :

PART 3 COURTROOM - it wasn’t until I declared myself to be guilty and my advocate, who could have been my condemner stands beside me to say Father have mercy. The punishment has been paid!

INIVATION

Son of suffering -

Rejoice with those who go saved. Revelation 5, Jesus is alive. etc..

Matthew 27:15 “15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.”

Feast - Passover.

Governor -Pilate

Release one prisoner - like the president pardoning people. (Frying Pan Park).

Matthew 27:16 “16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.”

John called him a thief, Mark and Luke says he was insurrectionist and a murderer. All the gospels portray him as sinful of a person that you can imagine.

Matthew 27:17 “17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?””

Pits Barabbas or Jesus the Messiah.

Matthew 27:18 “18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.”

ency - they were jealous of Jesus’ status.

delivered him up -

Matthew 27:19 “19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.””

Judgment seat - bema seat. Where he could make official determinations.

His wife sent word - You ever get a call or text from your wife while at work?

She was like - I had a dream. haha if that was me.

righteous man - even in her dreams! Everything was pointing to the fact that Jesus was righteous.

Matthew 27:20 “20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.”

The bad guys influence the crowd. Matthew 27:21 “21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.””

Pilate couldn’t believe it! Are you serious?

Matthew 27:22 “22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!””

Matthew 27:23–26 “23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” 24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.”

CONCLUSION: We don’t know what Barabbas did. We don’t know if he turned around. We don’t know if he said thank you. We don’t know.

Scapegoat - they ended up killing it, but that ws never the purpose.