Sermon: “No! Not This Man, We Want Barabbas!”
Scripture: John 18:28-40 “Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. 29 So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?” 30 “We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted. 31 “Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied. 32 (This fulfilled Jesus’ prediction about the way he would die.) 33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. 34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)
Introduction: John 18 allows us to listen to Jesus’ trial before Pilate. That day, the truth was on Trial. When our motives are impure, our choices can be deadly. Have you ever thought about the choice Barabbas? Barabbas means son of the father or son of the Rabbi, this well-known criminal who had come to the end of the line. Historians seem to suggest that he and two of his crew were arrested and tried together for the crimes against Roman and the Jewish community. He may have begun his journey as a freedom fighter but became an insurrectionist. His group may have had noble, patriotic purposes in mind. Yet like most rebels, they evolve into criminals, destroying other for their own gain and notoriety. The attack on Washington, January 6 is an illustration revealed how the son of a Rabbi could end up on death row. Not only that, this scene we find Pilate trying to find a way out of a tight spot. Pilate knowing Jesus was innocence desired to release him. He finds a loophole, an old almost forgotten Jewish law to secure the release of Jesus. He offered release any prisoner the Jews desired. In offering to release a prisoner, Pilate assume people would prefer Jesus over Barabbas. How wrong he was.
Pilate just want this case to go away. He understood the religious leader’s motive against Jesus. They were jealous and envious of Jesus. Pilate preferred not to deal with Jesus at all. Remember, he sent Jesus to Herod, when Herod returned Jesus to him without charges, Pilate had to deal with it. Finally, he calls for a basin to wash his hands of the matter and turns Jesus over to the Jews to be crucified. Many people would like to wash their hands and not deal with Jesus. We all must answer the question, “What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ? That is the real question! Not what shall I do about police brutality, violence in the community, hypocrites in the church, or weaknesses of his followers, nor many of the other excuses people make. No it isn’t which religion is right nor which denomination or church is right? The question is, “What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?
One can only imagine the shock and awe experienced by Barabbas. He was guilty of every charge. He is on death row awaiting execution probably thinking, the Passover will give me a few more days, then the surprise come. “You are free to go! Matthew calls Barabbas a notorious prisoner whose reputation preceded him. Mark calls him a murderer. John describes him as a robber. Luke said, he was guilty of sedition and murder. He is the good, bad, and ugly rolled into one. Each of the four gospel writers describes Barabbas to make sure we get a clear picture of this evil man. Barabbas was held in his prison cell about 2000 feet from these public proceeding. He probably thought the crowd was calling for his immediate execution. Barabbas could only hear the noise of the crowd. The crowd was shouting his name, “Barabbas, Barabbas!” Then the next shouts he heard crucify him! Crucify him! From what he could hear, he thought the whole world had turned against him and he was about to be instantly crucified. When suddenly, without warning, He is dragged out and told “You are free to go!” Free to go? Why? “Someone else is dying in your place today!” “On your way!”
Barabbas was a sinner and knew it. He was guilty and knew it. He deserved to be punished and his punishment was just! He understood this was the consequence of his actions. Yet, Barabbas desired a way out, a way to freedom more than anything. If only he could have a second chance. Then it happened. He was the first to benefit from the death of Jesus. The first to receive freedom, release and pardon because “Someone else was dying in his place that day. God’s grace gives a second chance. We are more like Barabbas can we care to admit. That statement might sound disturbing to you. Most of us like to see ourselves as not that bad, or not that sinful. We would have never been like Barabbas or those religious leaders who falsely accused Jesus or like Pilate who handed Jesus over to be crucified. The truth is we were represented somewhere in that crowd.
1. Like us, Barabbas was a guilty sinner. Whether we want to admit it or not, there is a little Barabbas in all of us. At times we are rebellious too. Maybe we have not murder or stole or caused a riot, but we all have sinned and missed the mark.
Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ro 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Just like Barabbas, we were all bound in our prison of sin, awaiting our punishment, a death sentence was hanging over our head. Then we heard the voice of Jesus comes saying, Matt 11:28-30“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Here is the difference, Barabbas pardon was unexpected, unsolicited and without confession. Our pardon was planned, and offered to all who believe. Believers respond to the Gospel by acknowledging their sin, repenting and confessing their sin to God and asking for forgiveness. At the moment they received Jesus Christ, release comes. They were free from the penalty of sin and the power of sin. Jesus made it possible for everyone to be free! Satan comes to bind people and blind people about their spiritual condition. Then he deceives, misguides, and offers people an alternative to the way, an alternative the truth and even an alternative the way of life. Many people struggle in darkness trying to find another way out of their prison like a child trying to find his out of a glasshouse. In a glasshouse, the mirrors and doors lead to confusion and frustration. In darkness, they refuse to accept the truth and embrace a lie. Jesus turns on the light and provides a way out! There is a way out for every guilty sinner.
2. Like us, Barabbas deserved punishment. In every heart there is a sense of justice, right and wrong and reward and punishment. The guilty must be punished. I wonder if Barabbas felt remorse that his comrades were still bound and not released. I wonder if Barabbas felt any compassion towards Jesus dying in his place. The two thieves who were to be executed with Jesus confessed, “We are getting what we deserve, this man is innocent.” There is something within us that cries out for justice as we look on others. We hate to see anyone get away with murder. Barabbas had been found guilty of his crimes and under Jewish Law he deserved to die.
Ge 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The moment Adam and Eve chose to sin against God, a death sentence was put into place. That same death sentence was passed to all mankind. The life God created to last forever was shorten by sin. The price tag for sin is death. No one gets out of this world alive and everyone will spend eternity somewhere. Mankind’s condition is clearly revealed in Romans 5.
Ro 5:14-17 “Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”
God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins and deserve punishment. Barabbas was not a greater sinner than you and me. He may have carried out every passing thought that came across his mind, and you did not. Yet all sinners are in need of a savior. We all deserve death, but grace offers freedom. Jesus proclaims If thou wilt believe, all things are possible! You too are free to go, even though you are guilty and deserve death! Christ offers life to whosoever will.
3. Like us, Barabbas desired Freedom. Just like every other bound person, there is a desire to be free! As humanity wrestle with violence, addiction, depression and grief, there is desire to be free. We hate the sin that make us mourn because every sinful pleasure turns sour. Every sinful pleasure leads to pain. From the cross of Calvary, there came a cry, “Lord, remember me when you come into thou kingdom.” That cry was filled with sorrow and regret. That cry expressed a desired to be free. Even the unrepentant thief cry, “If you are the Christ saved yourself and us.” Every bound person really desires to be free. The desire for freedom cannot be silenced by money, or fame, or fortune. We can have it all, yet our conscience reminds us something is missing, you are not right with God. What have you done with Jesus? Drugs and alcohol may hide it for awhile, yet that nagging will come back and again and again.
Like us, Barabbas and those two thieves who found themselves angry with themselves, because of missed opportunities, bad decisions, causing so much pain to themselves and others, in a constant search by never finding the answer to life. They all wanted to be free!
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Notice, the Scriptures calls us captives and prisoners. We were held captives by Satan, sin, and the lust of the flesh. Paul describes his condition and ours in Romans 7.
Ro 7:18-24 “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[b] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.”
All of us desire freedom, release, and salvation. All the unrest in the world comes from the pent-up frustrations and unfulfilled desires. Barabbas was surprised by his release because of Jesus; Paul discovered freedom, release, and salvation in Jesus, and we can also discover freedom, release, and salvation in Jesus Christ. The question asked was, “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? The answer comes in Romans 7:25 “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
4. Like us, Barabbas discovered redemption. Redemption means the account has been settled. The debt paid in full! Barabbas discovered the benefits of someone taking his place, satisfying his debt, unlocking the door of his cell, removing his chains and being publicly set free. The soldier simply said, “you are free to go! Someone else is dying in your place today!”
Who was responsible for putting Jesus on the Cross? Was it Judas? Was it the Religious Leaders? Was it Pilate? Was it the shouting crowd? Well, none of them and all of them! It was Jesus’ great love! His great love of the Father and the Father’s great love for the world. It was his love for the whole world! We owed a debt that we could not pay and paid a debt He did not owe. The old hymn says, “Were you there when they crucified, my Lord?” They answered, yes and “sometimes it causes me to tremble!” I now understand for my sin he died. The benefits of redemption was revealed in the types and shadows of the Old Testament. The Sacrificial Lamb was lain for the sins of the people and the escape goat was set free. It was a picture of what God was going to do.
That day, Barabbas paid no price, offered no gift, yet received every benefit for unmerited favor. We call it grace. You and I can receive the benefits of redemption in like manner.
Isaiah 55:1-3 “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink, even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk, it’s all free! 2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. 3 “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.”
One would thought Isaiah would have said,“come with your mouth wide open, but he said, “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen and you will find life.” The good news offered freely to all who are thirsty, looking for satisfaction, hope and life.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Elvina Hall captured this idea in her hymn, “Jesus Paid It all”, “All I hear the savior say, Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all’. Lord, now indeed I find Thy power and thine alone, Come and changed the lepers spots; And it melt the heart of stone. And when before the throne, I stand in him complete; Jesus died my soul to save, My lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all, All to him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow! Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe, Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow!
What Barabbas discovered that day was grace! How amazing God’s grace really is. His release came suddenly, unexpectedly, leaving Barabbas in shock and awe! All because the cry came, “No! Not this man, we want Barabbas!”
In Barabbas, we see the picture of a sinful world. All have sin, all sinner need to be save, all sinners can be save and all sinners can be saved to the uttermost! We discover just as Barabbas did, someone else died in our place. Through faith in Jesus Christ, you can go free! Believers are free to go! Believers are free to walk out of sin, addiction, bondage, and imprisonment. Your bruises can be healed, your weaknesses can be strengthened. Believers are free to go into a new future. I wonder how Barabbas used his newfound freedom. Have you been set free yet? How are you using your freedom? Are you walking in a new future, a new life, to a new destiny? If not, you can start today! Are you saying, “No! Not this man, we want Barabbas!” Not this Jesus, give us Barabbas! It is still your choice and one that must be made! Do it while the door remains open.
