Rescue Stories: Rescued from Doom
15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
The Passover Pardon
15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would
Roman custom was to release a prisoner to the people at the annual Passover feast. The people were permitted to make the choice of the prisoner. This custom was obviously to help keep control of the people during the Passover celebration when Jerusalem and Judea would be teeming with many visitors. Rome was always afraid of a riot at such times and releasing a prisoner would help appease the people.
The Prisoners
Barabbas Character
Reputation “notable”
Rebellion “ insurrection”
Barabbas Conviction
Robber “Now Barabbas was a robber”’
Murderer “who had committed murder”
Jesus Character
Perfection
First, with God as his Father, he did not inherit Adam’s sin nature, as have all other men and women in the world who have two human parents. Thus, he could be the “spotless lamb,” the unblemished sacrifice that would satisfy God’s judgment of sin. Anything less than perfect is not good enough as payment for our sin. Jesus was sinlessly perfect.
Second, because Jesus is God, his becoming a human, his perfect life, and his sacrificial death are actions of God involving himself personally in the solution to our problem. God did not just sit back and shout “I love you!” from the heavens. Nor did he send someone else as a messenger or servant to do the work. God himself became one of us! Only God himself could satisfy his own standards of perfection. Only God could offer himself as a full payment that would satisfy his own righteous demands, fully appeasing his own wrath against our sin. God, the judge, passed the death sentence against us; then God, the Savior, came down to stand in front of us and absorb that sentence himself. This could not have happened if Jesus had been born of a human father.
Third, because Jesus is human, he qualifies as a representative of the human race, a mediator, before God (see Heb. 4:14–5:3; also Rom. 5:12–21). It would have been meaningless for a nonhuman to die for the human race, because he would have had no connection or identity with those for whom he died. In order for Jesus the Christ to die in our place, he had to be one of us. This point of identification is critical to the success of God’s plan. Without a human mother, Jesus could not have carried out God’s plan to redeem (buy back) his own people. Nor could he have done it without a divine Father.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Compassion
I. Jesus’ Love Was a Selfless Love
II. Jesus’ Love Was a Steadfast Love
III. Jesus’ Love Was a Serving Love
IV. Jesus’ Love Was a Sanctifying Love
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life
A. A Sovereign Grace
B. A Seeking Grace
C. A Saving Grace
D. A Securing Grace
E. A Satisfying Grace
Jesus Conviction
The Allegations were made up
The Investigation didn't happen
The Examination was a joke
The Presumption
Their Selection Mt 27:17 “Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?”
Savior
sinner
The Presumption
Their Motivation Mt 27:18 “he knew that for envy they had delivered him”
Fear
Enmity(Hate)
Envy
“Pilate was dense about many things, but he knew that the Jewish leaders were jealous of the power of Jesus with the people” (Robertson)
Pilate had no difficulty perceiving that the envy of the accusers, not the evil of Christ, was a strong reason why Christ was brought by the Jewish leaders to Pilate’s court for judgment. The envy was quite obvious
The Prompt
These religious leaders lived and died on popularity. They coveted a following, and those who were competition to them in gathering a following became their enemies.