Youth Sermon: He Was Counted Among the Rebels

Jesus, the Unexpected Hero

Hey guys! Hope you're all doing great. Today, we're going to talk about something pretty wild. You know how in movies, the hero is always the good guy, right? Well, in the greatest story ever told, our hero, Jesus, was actually counted among the bad guys. Crazy, huh? This comes from Isaiah 53, a prophecy about Jesus.

Imagine this: You're at a concert, and you've got a backstage pass. You're expecting to hang out with the band, but instead, you're lumped in with the roadies and the guys who clean up after the show. That's kind of what happened to Jesus. He was compared to a real bad dude named Barabbas. Everyone thought the crowd would pick Jesus over Barabbas, but they didn't.

Well, in the greatest story ever told, our hero, Jesus, was actually counted among the bad guys.

Why Jesus was Grouped with Criminals

So, why would Jesus, the Son of God, let Himself be grouped with criminals? It's not because He was a criminal. It's because we've all messed up, we've all sinned. Jesus wanted to show us that He gets it. He knows what it's like to be at rock bottom, and He's there with us, ready to lift us up.

Jesus was like a king who gave up his crown to become a servant. He became human, just like us, and didn't ask for any special treatment. He served others and even let Himself be treated like a criminal. He did all this willingly, even though it led to His death on a cross.

The Twist and What it Means for Us

But here's the twist: Despite all this, God lifted Jesus up. He gave Him the highest honor. Every knee will bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. And through all this, God gets the glory.

So, what does this mean for us? It means that no matter how low we feel, Jesus is there with us. He's been there, and He's ready to lift us up. And one day, we'll all see Him for who He really is: our Lord and Savior.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to be with us, even in our lowest moments. Help us to remember that He understands our struggles and is ready to lift us up. We look forward to the day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Amen.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Why do you think the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus?

2. How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus was willing to be associated with criminals for our sake?

3. How can we follow Jesus' example of humility and selflessness in our daily lives?

4. What does it mean to you that Jesus was exalted by God despite His association with criminals?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Who Would You Choose?
• Group Activity: Role-Playing the Crucifixion Scene
• Youth Challenge: Embracing Jesus' Love