Pursuit Camp Friday 2026

Gospel Message

Matthew 27:15–23 “Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 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?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 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.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!””

Commentaries

Pilate had been warned by his wife to be careful how he dealt with Jesus, for he was an innocent man. She had suffered a great deal through a dream concerning Jesus and shared her experience with her husband.

Pilate believed that Jesus was innocent, so he tried to have Him released. It was part of their custom for the governor to release a prisoner each year during this holiday, the Passover, in order to gain acceptance with the Jews. It was a way for them to win favor in their sight… His plan was to bring about the release of Jesus involved a notorious prisoner named Barabbas, an insurrectionist, an murderer. We know from the other gospels that he was despicable, brutal, and hated by the people.

I mean, could you imagine this scene? Pilate, in his chambers scheming how he is going to get Jesus release. And he is like, “I got it!” “I will stand him next to the worst of the worst!” “Surely, he will stand out and as the obvious option and they will pick him as the one that needed to be release. No one would want Barabbas back on the street.”

Yet, he underestimated the determination of the religious leaders to do away with Jesus, for they persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

The crowd, unified, like we were in chanting “USA! USA!” is now chanting Crucify!

Pilate found himself with his hands tight, sort of speak, and so he proceeds to release this notorious prisoner, an insurrectionist and murderer, while handing over a clearly innocent man to be slaughter in the most horrible possible way, by the way of crucifixion.

In the midst of all of this, Pilate asks this crucial question: “What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

He could either stand up for what he knew was right, or he could follow the crowd and save his political skin.

You could either experience forgiveness of life, or continue to be in a friend group that gives you false and temporary hope. You could either know with certainty what is like to be loved and treasured by a Savior that willingly took your place, or you could continue to look for stuff in this world to fill that void in you that you know is still empty.

You can almost sense internal struggle within Pilate, He know Jesus is innocent, while Barabbas is not. His plan is not working. He does not understand why in the world they would not choose Jesus…

Then, after he was severely beaten, he was delivered to be crucified.

Enters Hebrews 13:12 here.

Hebrews 13:12 “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.”

Jesus took Barabbas places on His cross.

His names “son of the father” meant he was probably the son of a rabbi of renown.

As you read all of the recollections accounts of this event in the other gospels, what do you see Jesus doing? He is calm, purposeful, silent, strong, and He is ready to be offered as the perfect sacrifice for our sin!

Jesus, the greatest OUTSIDER, was condemned so we could be brought in.

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Intro