"Our Substitutionary Savior"

John 20:31 – “…these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Previous messages:

“Our Sovereign Savior”

“Our Submissive Savior”

Yet to come messages:

“Our Suffering Savior”

“Our Solitary Savior”

Today’s message:

“Our Substitutionary Savior”

John 18:28–40 (NASB)

28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 31 So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” 32 to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. 33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. 39 “But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” 40 So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Understanding the narrative...

Jesus had just been betrayed, brought before Annas and then Caiaphas and now Pilate.

Pilate didn’t want to deal with the situation but eventually felt like he had to because of the manipulation of the Jewish leaders.

The accusations were clearly false...

Luke 23:1–4 (ESV)

1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”

Each of these commands is exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught.

- In John 6 they tried to forcefully make Jesus king but he wouldn’t allow it and departed from the presence. Jesus wasn’t seeking to be an earthly king or a political leader.

- As far as taxes goes, in Matthew 22 the Pharisees asked Jesus about paying taxes and he pointed to the image on the coin...

- As far as leading the nation astray, as in rebelling against Rome, Jesus taught love for enemies and kindness to those that mistreat you. He did condemn the Pharisees but that isn’t something Pilate or Rome would even be concerned about.

So it becomes east to see why Pilate said what he said in verse 38...

John18:38 ...“I find no guilt in Him.”

(Happens between v. 38-39)

Luke 23:6–12 (NASB)

6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. 9 And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. 11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

Herod also judged Jesus and determined he was innocent, when Jesus is sent back to Pilate, he goes to plan B and offers the custom of prisoner release…

39 “But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” 40 So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Who was Barabbas?

(Description of Barabbas)

Matthew 27:16 (NASB)

16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.

Luke 23:19 (NASB)

19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.)

The sin of the priests

(v. 28-32) 28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 31 So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” 32 to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

Their sin was self-centeredness rooted in envy and jealousy.

Matthew 27:17–18 (NASB)

17 So when the people gathered together, 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 because of envy they had handed Him over.

The sin of Pilate

(v. 33-38) 33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.

Luke 23:13–16 (ESV)

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

His sin was trying to remain neutral and keep the peace.

Matthew 27:22–26 (ESV)

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!” 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.

Mark 15:15 (NASB)

15 Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

The sin of the people

(v. 38-40) 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. 39 “But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” 40 So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Acts 3:13–19 (NASB)

13 “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 “But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16 “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 “But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

(Why did they reject Jesus and pick Barabbas?)

Matthew 27:20 (NASB)

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.

The sin of the present

When it comes to how you view Jesus, where do you struggle?

Is it like the priests? I certainly hope not.

Is it like Pilate?

Is it the sin of the people?

Not loving him as you should?

Unbelief, not trusting Him to take care of you?

Memory Verse of the Week:

Jude 24 (NASB)

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,

Discussion Questions: (John 18:28-40)

What does God want us to know about Himself?

What does God want us to know about ourselves?

What does God want us to know about the world?

Do you see any commands to obey?

Do you see any promises to claim?

Do you see any blessings to enjoy?

Do you see any principles to apply?

Do you see any lessons to learn?

Do you see any sins to avoid?

Do you see any truths to meditate on?

Do you see any Gospel messages to share?

Did anything else stick out to you?

How else do you think God wants you to respond to His word?