A Breathtaking Choice
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· 11 viewsThere are many poignant vignets throughout the crucifixtion narrative. Verses 24-26 is no exception. There are four characters in these three verses...The Prefect, the People, the Prisoner and the Pure One. The dumbfounding event in this portion of Scripture is the unconsionable choice made by the Jewish leaders and their crowd.
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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.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
Introduction
Introduction
Opening Illustration -
Main Idea - When Given the Choice, Who Do People Choose?
Transition - There are four characters in these few verses that can teach and show us much. Four characters that revel who we are and what we need. They are The Prefect, the People, the Prisoner and the Pure One.
Let’s first take a look at the Prefect.
1. The Prefect (vs. 24)
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.”
This is an old word that means… “chief officer, magistrate, or regional governor in certain countries.” (Concise Oxford English Dictionary). And the Prefect or the Governor of Judea was none other than Pontius Pilate, himself.
This is an old word that means… “chief officer, magistrate, or regional governor in certain countries.” (Concise Oxford English Dictionary). And the Prefect or the Governor of Judea was none other than Pontius Pilate, himself.
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.”
Pilate, in his prime was no one to be trifled with. He worked on behalf of Caesar and His main responsibility was to keep the peace. Easier said than done when dealing with a stiff-necked, stubborn people like the Jews. Unfortunately for Pilate there were one too many times that caught the attention of Headquarters (AKA Rome) and if they had to be called in to do Pilate’s job for him, well, you can imagine it would not go well for Pilate himself. Basically, the Jewish leadership had Pilate “over a barrel” and they knew it. If he didn’t give them what they wanted, they would be sure Rome and Caesar would find out quickly!
His record with Caesar was not good, and he did not want word of a rival king to reach Caesar’s ears, especially if Pilate had released that king.
Louis A. Barbieri, Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 87.
12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus,
So, Pilate, when he saw that he was getting nowhere with these obstinate people who were bent on the destruction of Jesus. He saw a riot begining and the last thing he needed was Caesar coming in and taking him out of power which was a real possibility.
when he saw that he was getting nowhere with these obstinate people who were bent on the destruction of Jesus. He saw a riot begining and the last thing he needed was Caesar coming in and taking him out of power which was a real possibility.
Louis A. Barbieri, Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 87.
The act of washing his hands was his way of relinquishing control over the situation. The Jews knew exactly what Pilate was doing...
(ESV)
6 And all the elders of that city nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, 7 and they shall testify, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it shed. 8 Accept atonement, O Lord, for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not set the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of your people Israel, so that their blood guilt be atoned for.’
chief officer, magistrate, or regional governor in certain countries.
6 And all the elders of that city nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, 7 and they shall testify, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it shed. 8 Accept atonement, O Lord, for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not set the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of your people Israel, so that their blood guilt be atoned for.’
This act on Pilate’s part may have salved his conscience, but it failed to removed his guilt. His actions are reminiscent of the Psalmist’s words in...
13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
(ESV)
13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
Pilate’s actions were in vain. He declares His innocence but the reality was, he was culpable because of his position as Prefect. He could have stopped this whole charade because of the power he wielded. as well as his willingness to see a truly innocent man be killed for no good reason. Pilate is a coward, untruthful and dishonest (BNTCM - Hendricksen). His abdication of responsibility in fact was an authorization for the Jews to do whatever they wished to Jesus. Hence His words, "see to it yourselves." The reality is they did not nor could they see to it themselves because it was against their Law. They needed the Romans to pull this dastardly act off.
He declares His innocence but the reality is, he is culpable because of his position as well as his willingness to see a truly innocent man be killed for no good reason. Pilate is a coward, untruthful and dishonest (BNTCM - Hendricksen). His abdication of responsibility in fact was an authorization for the Jews to do whatever they wished to Jesus. Hence His words, "see to it yourselves." The reality is they did not nor could they see to it themselves because it was against their Law. They needed the Romans to pull this dastardly act off.
But P
Pilate interviewed Jesus; Pilate judged Jesus to be innocent; Pilate walked away from Jesus.
My friends, you cannot simply walk away from Jesus. He is too important for that. He is the God/man
Explain -
Explain -
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).Explain -
Pilate made a breathtaking choice. He turned his back on the Christ. He failed to choose well.
We easily can turn our back on Jesus as well. When the crowds are demanding us to go against the truth and we choose to follow them rather than the truth...
Review - When Given the Choice, Who Do People Choose?
Illustrate -
Review -
Apply -
The Prefect
Review -
1.
2. The People (vs. 25)
The Jewish leadership had swayed the opinion of the people who a week prior were declaring Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of David. But now? They said something so bad, so wrong that they couldn’t have possibly understood the severity and weight of what they uttered.
25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
What a proclamation! "His blood be on us and on our children!" Certainly they didn't fully comprehend what they were saying. Certainly they didn't understand the profound implications of their united words. They asked to bear the responsibility of the murder of the Son of God. They wanted the glory of killing the One who gave them life. Whatever the cost, whatever the price, they wanted Jesus dead and nothing or no one would stand in their way. The Nation of Israel was formally rejecting Messiah and there was no going back!
Leon Morris said, "It would seem that the mob had been completely taken in by the propaganda of the high priests."
Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 707.
Jesus predicted the rejection of the Jewish leadership in the parable of the Tenants found in
33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.
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Providentially however, we know the Father wanted the Son dead too. For far different and far greater reasons. The ultimate culpability was with the God of the universe.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
God wanted to kill the Son. Why? Because of...
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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And even though God through his providence planned the death of His Son to redeem us, the Jews were still responsible because they chose to reject the One who came to save them. They so flippantly and cavalierly declare, let “His blood be on us and on our children.” This was not a new concept...
5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
7 Our fathers sinned, and are no more; and we bear their iniquities.
But isn't it interesting to think about the irony of this statement? We certainly and rightly look at this with a lens of judgement. But what if we change the lens to one of redemption? The same murder they were about to commit would shed innocent blood and it was that blood that was available to redeem and save them!
But isn't it interesting to think about the irony of this statement? Little did they know that His blood was available to cover them. To wash them and their children for generations to come.
Little did they know that His blood was available to cover them. To wash them and their children for generations to come.
His blood, lovingly shed on the cross wouldn't be the judgement against them as they meant it, but it would be a payment for them if they but repent and place their faith in Him as their only hope for salvation!
Obviously the wrath of God was still upon them. But the time would come when many would repent and believe on the Christ.
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The time would come when even many of their leaders would believe...
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin...
22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
And it was the blood of the Lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world.
Belief in the Lamb was absolutely necessary for redemption’s possibility. But this day was not the day for belief! In fact, this day was about utter rejection of their only hope!
Yet, there is always hope because of the Gospel.
And this leads us into the last point from our text this evening...
Illustrate -
1. The Prefect
Review - When Given the Choice, Who Do People Choose?
The Prefect
1. The Prefect
2. The People
2.
3. The Prisoner and the Pure One (vs. 26)
26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
For some Context, take a look at...
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. 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.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 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!”
Imagine "a notorious prisoner" is their preference over the sinless Son of God. A criminal instead of the Christ!
And who was behind all of this? The Chief Priests and the Elders.
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
- And who was behind all of this? The Chief Priests and the Elders. What was their motivation? According to verse 18, it was out of envy. What was their goal? To destroy Christ! They couldn't accuse Him of anything that would stick. Why Pilate asked "Why, What evil has he done? They didn't answer...they couldn't answer...they could only shout their demand louder and louder. "Let him be crucified."
What was their motivation? According to verse 18, it was out of envy...
What was their goal? To destroy Christ! They couldn't accuse Him of anything that would stick. Why Pilate asked "Why, What evil has he done? They didn't answer...they couldn't answer...they could only shout their demand louder and louder. "Let him be crucified."
Peter, later rebukes these people when he says in
14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
"But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murder to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead, To this we are witnesses."
But, do you notice the hope of verse 15? They were, because of the hardness of their hearts, responsible for the death of Jesus. They killed the God-man. But God raised Him from the dead! They, the Apostles were eyewitnesses to this fact. The tomb was empty that Sunday morning. Jesus' death on the cross paid the sin-debt of all people. His grace was and still is sufficient to save whomever will come to the cross in humility, admitting they have sinned against God's holy law, broken all of His commands, admitting they deserve eternal punishment in Hell - His grace provides the hope of eternal life...
But, they chose Barabbas - a notorious criminal who deserved death to instead kill the Author of life.
Walter Elwell says...
Barabbas was a robber () who had been imprisoned for committing murder during an insurrection (; ). He was regarded as a “notorious prisoner” (). His “insurrection” may have been an unusually violent act of robbery or an internal struggle among the Jews, but many scholars view it as a political insurrection against the Roman forces in Jerusalem. It is not unlikely that Barabbas was a member of the Zealots, a Jewish political group which sought to throw off the yoke of Rome by violence. The word translated “robber” can denote either a bandit or revolutionary.
Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Barabbas,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 263.
Passive Pilate released Barabbas but had Jesus "scourged" which was a preliminary to crucifixion. The death of Jesus was imminent. Nothing would stop the Jews, nothing would stop God's plan of redemption.
Leon Morris on the Scourging of Jesus...
Scourging was the normal preliminary to crucifixion, and it was a horrible punishment in itself. It was inflicted with multithonged whips, each thong being laced with pieces of metal or bone...Men sometimes died under scourging, and it is not difficult to understand why. Matthew devotes to this horror no more than one word, and he will later do the same with crucifixion. None of the biblical writers dwells on the dreadful sufferings Jesus endured. Popular piety in modern times, both Catholic and Protestant, often does. We sing hymns like “O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded,” and listen to sermons in which we are harried with emphasis on the “bitter pains” that Jesus endured. But the biblical writers are much more interested in the meaning of Jesus’ death than in enlarging on the suffering he endured.
Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 708.
In a very real sense, we are all Barabbas. We are all notorious sinners. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And we all deserve the eternal prison sentence of Hell - But for Christ.
If Barabbas would have gone to the cross, he would have paid his own sin debt. Instead, Christ went to the cross, the sinless lamb of God went to the cross to satisfy the wrath of God and pay not for His own sin, but for the sin of the world. He went to the cross so your won't have to!
Pilate delivered the Christ to be scourged and crucified. Yet another breathtaking choice. The sinless one dies and a criminal goes free.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch (criminal, lawbreaker, murderer, etc) like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.
Illustrate -
Apply -
Review - When Given the Choice, Who Do People Choose?
1.
The Prefect - Chose Poorly
2. The People - Chose even more poorly!
3. The Prisoner and the Pure One - Whom will you chose?
Conclusion
Concluding Thought...
Application - This is what it all boils down to. Who will you chose. Pilate passively chose Barabbas. The People Passionately chose Barabbas!
And we face the very same choice.
For the unbeliever here tonight, will you chose the Pure one? The only one who can give you the Hope you so desperately long for? You must repent and place your faith in Christ alone and He promises to save you! He promises to make you pure as well.
If you do not chose the Pure One, you automatically chose the Prisoner. Actually, you choose you, a prison of Sin. The only one who has the keys to release you from this prison is Christ Himself. Choose him!
For the believer here tonight, you still have a daily choice! You must choose this day whom you will serve! Please don’t resurrect the Prisoner. Daily pursue the Pure One!
“If, in the end, you have not chosen Jesus Christ, it will not matter what you have chosen.” - Neil A. Maxwell
To the Greek, the cross was foolishness. To the Jew, it was a stumbling block. What is it about the cross of Christ that so roundly defies everything that power relishes?
Does that not give us pause in this season now before us? Think of it: humiliation and agony. This was the path Jesus chose with which to reach out for you and for me...
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