Matthew 27:1-26

 

As this chapter begins, we see unified opposition to Jesus Christ. Verse 1: “Early in the morning, all the chief priests and elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.” When Barabas was released, that opposition was echoed by all the people as they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (22, 23).

 

The unified opposition to Christ and His people is still so evident in our world. People on the broad road that leads to destruction are unified in their hatred for Christ and His followers. That animosity will fester and grow until the second coming of Jesus, for in the words of Jesus, in Matthew 24:9, “…You will be hated by all nations because of me.” And in John 15:18-20 he explained why: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” 

 

But all those who oppose Christ, unless they repent, will be seized with remorse, just as Judas was. His betrayal of Christ brought him sorrow in this life and eternal sorrow in the judgment of hell. He came to realize the gravity of what he did, as “he was seized with remorse” (3). But his remorse was not the remorse that leads to repentance and saving faith. 2 Corinthians 7:10 points out that “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

 

At the final judgment worldly sorrow will reach its peak as described in Revelation 6:15-17: “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?’”

 

How crucial, then, that you and I have true godly sorrow for our sins, and not just a worldly sorrow. Worldly sorrow is filled with remorse that our sins gave us no satisfaction and instead exposed our wicked, evil hearts bringing painful repercussions into our lives. But godly sorrow, in addition to recognizing the emptiness of sin, gives us deep and sincere sorrow that our sins led Jesus to the cross. But with that sorrow is the astonishment of true saving faith, the astonishment that the eternal Son of God would leave the glory of heaven, take on human flesh and suffer and die – and rise again – for the salvation of sinners like ourselves.

 

If anyone knew that astonishment – that Christ would take the curse of our sin upon himself on the cross – it would be Barabbas. This passage describes the custom at the Feast of the Passover to release a prisoner selected by the crowd (15). The account of Barabbas is recorded in all four gospels. It is a key event for it demonstrates that Jesus took our place on the cross in what theologians call His “substitutionary atonement.”

 

What makes the release of Barabbas and the substitution of Jesus in his place so significant? Why is it so significant that all four gospel writers were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about it?

 

 

One point of significance is seen in the name “Barabbas.” Barabbas is Aramaic for “son of a father.”  It is a rather unusual name by our standards. All of us are sons or daughters of our fathers. But ultimately, when you look up your family tree, no matter what nationality you may be, you find that your ancestor is Adam. 

 

We are all children of Adam. And Barabbas, with his unique name, is designated as one who represents all the sons and daughters of Adam, all humanity. He was the son of a father – a son of Adam. As such, by nature he, like you and me, was a sinner, unable to pay for his crimes; he was unable to pay for his sinful condition.

 

Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse wrote: “We are all of Adam’s race. We have been bound over for our sedition against God. We are robbers of His glory. We are murderers of our souls and the souls of others. We find ourselves bound in the darksome prison house of sin.” (Qu. by James M. Boice, The Gospel of John, pg. 1301)

 

Have you read those books in the checkout lines that have lists of names and their meanings?  Matthew means “gift of God”.  Hannah comes from the Hebrew word meaning “favor” or “grace”.  Elizabeth is from the Hebrew meaning, “My God is my oath”.  The list goes on. But the unfortunate truth is that no matter how beautiful our name may sound, each one of us could be more aptly named “Barabbas” for we are all sons and daughters of sinful, rebellious Adam.

       

A second truth that makes the account of Barabbas so important is that Barabbas was a notorious lawbreaker. He is described in the gospel accounts as a robber, an insurrectionist, and as a murderer.  Matthew simply states that Barabbas was “a notorious criminal.”

 

His release begs the question, “Why would such a lawbreaker be released?  Why would Jesus, innocent, kind, and loving, obedient to every law, be crucified in the place of Barabbas of all people?”

 

The significance is seen when we come to the realization that all of us are lawbreakers. This truth should cut all of us to the core of our heart, just as it cut the Apostle Paul. In Romans 7:21-25 he wrote: “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

 

During one of my internships, when I was in seminary, my mentor read from 1 Timothy 1:8-10 and asked me who I thought the Apostle was writing about. In those verses, Paul writes: “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.”

 

Since I was just an intern, I thought it would be better if my pastor answered the question, but since it was directed to me, I said, “I think it refers to all of us.” He agreed. 1 Timothy 1:15 applies to each one of us, as well as to the Apostle Paul, as he wrote: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” The choosing of Barabbas to be freed while Jesus died in his place also reinforces the truth that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – of whom we are all the worst, for we are all born with the sinful rebellion of Adam in our heart, the center of our being.

 

A third reason why the release of Barabbas is so significant is that Jesus took not only the physical punishment of Barabbas on the cross, but far more importantly, he took the punishment you and I deserve for our sins. On the cross He bore the curse that you and I deserve for our sins, thus appeasing the righteous and proper wrath of our triune God against our sin. 

 

The cost of redemption for your sins and mine had to come at the cost of the life and death of Jesus Christ. As true God, one with the Father and Holy Spirit He alone had the power and authority to pay for our sins. And as a truly human person, like us in every way except for sin, He perfectly represents us. But it couldn’t have been just any death.  It would not have sufficed had Jesus been stoned to death, or pushed over the edge of a cliff, or assassinated in any other way.

 

The death had to be on a cross, because Old Testament law clearly teaches that anyone who is crucified is under a curse. That is why Galatians 3:13 quotes from Deuteronomy 21:23 in declaring: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’”

 

Barabbas knew full well that he deserved to be hung on the tree – crucified on the cross. He, like us, was a son of Adam. He had transgressed the law of the holy God over and over. Yet he was released, and Jesus was crucified in his place.

 

 

We don’t read about Barabbas again, after reading of his release. But you cannot help but wonder what went through the mind of Barabbas as he realized he was actually free. When he saw Jesus sentenced to die, Barabbas must have thought, “That sentence was intended for me; he is taking my place.” Is it possible that when Jesus was nailed to the cross Barabbas was in the great crowd of spectators?  Would he look at his own hands and realize that if Jesus had not taken his place the spikes would be nailed into his palms?

 

Of all people, Barabbas must have understood the theological concept of “substitutionary atonement” – the biblical truth that although we deserve God’s curse as lawbreakers Jesus became our substitute and took the curse and penalty for our sin upon himself. Dr. Barnhouse wrote:

 

“What must have been his thoughts? He hears the echoing blows of the hammer striking the nails, and looks down at his own hands. He had thought that this would be his day. He had thought the nails would tear his flesh. And here he is breathing the air of spring time and looking at the dark cloud that is gathering in the sky. Does he say, ‘Those hammer blows were meant for me, but he is dying in my place’? He could have said it in literal truth that day.”

 

Barnhouse concludes: “Barabbas was the only man in the world who could say that Jesus Christ took his physical place. But I can say Jesus Christ took my spiritual place. For it was I who deserved to die.  It was I who deserved the wrath of God... I deserved the eternal punishment of the lake of fire. He was delivered up for my offenses. He was handed over to judgment because of my sins. This is why we speak of the substitutionary atonement. Christ was my substitute.  He was satisfying the debt of divine justice and holiness. That is why I say that Christianity can be expressed in the three phrases: I deserved hell; Jesus took my hell; there is nothing left for me except His heaven.”  (IBID. pp. 1302-3)

 

The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically whether Barabbas believed in the Lord Jesus with saving faith, repented of his sin and was converted by God’s grace and regenerating Spirit. Nor do we need to know. How important that you and I – with true saving faith – acknowledge that Jesus is our substitute and that He took our punishment upon Himself on the cross. Isaiah 53 verses 5 and 6 were fulfilled dramatically at Calvary: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

 

 

We would think it strange indeed if Barabbas would have stayed in prison after his release. Suppose he would have said, “I just can’t believe that someone else would be condemned in my place. I’m not going to accept what I hear about this pardon. I will just stay in prison.”

 

Yet, that is what so many people, in effect, do: So many say, “I just can’t believe that Jesus would pay the penalty for my sin. That he would be my substitute. That he would die in my place.” And they stay in the prison of their unbelief, never knowing the joy of being forgiven.

 

Yet Christ has set us free from the prison house of our sin. But he did so at great cost. Verse 26 describes how after releasing Barabbas, Pilate had Jesus flogged. Roman floggings were administrated by two men, one lashing from one side and the other from the other side while the victim was tied down and bent over, exposing his bare back. They used a scourge with a short wooden handle. Attached to the handle were thongs with the ends having pieces of lead, brass, and fragments of sharp bones attached. The flogging was so severe that often those flogged died from their injuries. It is little wonder that Jesus was thoroughly depleted physically and needed Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross to Calvary.

 

Yet, the pain inflicted in the flogging of Jesus was nothing compared to the agony of being separated from His Father’s love on the cross. His agonized cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” sums up the agony of the Son, eternally one with the Father and Holy Spirit, but now separated as He bore the curse for your sins and mine.

 

Yet we call those sufferings good. We are to remember them throughout the year, and their memory culminates on a day we call “Good Friday.” Those who are unfamiliar with the gospel might wonder why we call the day that our Savior was crucified good. Why would we call the day when Jesus suffered such an agonizing, painful death “Good Friday”?

 

We do so because those of us who have saving faith in Christ alone know that He became our substitute, that He took upon Himself our guilt; He took upon Himself the sentence of the Father’s wrath we deserve. And that is why a day of great sorrow, pain, and death is yet called “Good Friday,” for even as we mourn our sin, we have the great joy of salvation.

 

While some people stay in the prison-house of their sin, refusing to believe that Christ sacrificed himself for sinners, others try to wash their hands of Jesus, just as Pilate did. Pilate was the governor and had the power, humanly speaking, to release Jesus or crucify Him. In John 19:10 Pilate had said to Jesus, “Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 

 

     Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:11). From then on, we read how Pilate tried to release him. But the crowds intimidated Pilate, and he handed Jesus over for crucifixion.

 

One of many powerful visual images which springs out of the pages of Holy Scripture is the mental picture of Pilate washing his hands. He had questioned Jesus. He had looked for a reason to convict Him but found him innocent. Then, to his great discomfort, his wife sent him a message that she dreamed that Jesus was innocent and that she had suffered greatly knowing that an innocent man was being charged with guilt.  

 

Pilate wanted to release Jesus. He made an offer to the angry crowd that he was sure would please them. He offered to release Jesus instead of Barabbas, a notorious prisoner who was guilty of many crimes including murder. But when he asked the people whom they wanted to be released, whose name had the people shouted? “Barabbas! Barabbas!” They demanded the release of Barabbas and called for the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Against that dark background Pilate came out, and we can picture in our minds how he washed his hands in front of the seething crowd, and said, “I find no basis for a charge against this man. I am innocent of this man’s blood.”  

 

But there is no way to wash your hands from the knowledge of who Christ is and what He has done. You cannot wash away the reality of His life, His sacrificial death, glorious resurrection, ascension, and the certainty of His return. Pilate tried that, but he failed. You cannot just wash your hands of Jesus and think that you are done with him.  

 

Just as all those Old Testament prophecies about his first coming came true, down to the minutest detail, so will all the prophecies concerning his second coming. How crucial to be feeding upon Him and His Word, not only on days of religious significance but each and every day!

 

Instead of refusing to believe that we are set free from our sin, and instead of trying to wash our hands of Jesus – the truth that He lived, suffered, died and rose again – there is another response: the response of genuine repentance – “godly sorrow” and true saving faith in Christ. Those two elements - repentance and faith - equal conversion.

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Barabbas undoubtedly realized that Jesus took the punishment he deserved. He must have realized that Christ died in his place. Do you have that same realization? Do you have true godly sorrow for your sins and saving faith in Christ alone for salvation?

 

I pray that each one of us realizes anew – with thankful hearts – that Jesus took the wrath we deserve upon Himself. That “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). That each one of us can say, as Dr. Barnhouse did: “I deserved hell; Jesus took my hell; there is nothing left for me except His heaven.” Amen.

 

 

Bulletin outline:

 

 

                                           Matthew 27:26

 

I.  The account of Barabbas is recorded in all four gospels. It is a key

     event for it demonstrates that Jesus took our place on the cross by

     substitutionary atonement.

       1) All events in history are governed by God (Proverbs 16:4, 33)

 

 

       2) The events leading up to the crucifixion were not done by

            happenstance, but rather were predicted in the Old Testament

            prophecies (Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 53; Psalm 35:11, 69:21)

 

 

II. The significance of Jesus taking the place of Barabbas:

      1) The name Barabbas means “son of a father.”  Barabbas represents

           all the sons and daughters of Adam – all humanity (Romans 5:12-14)

 

 

      2) Barabbas was a notorious lawbreaker, as is each one of us

           (Romans 3:10, 7:21-25; 1 Timothy 1:15)

 

 

      3) Jesus took not only the physical punishment Barabbas deserved

           on the cross, but the punishment you and I deserve for our sins

           (Galatians 3:10-14)

 

 

III. Application: Just as Barabbas realized that Jesus took his place on

     the cross, we must acknowledge, with true saving faith, that Jesus

     took our punishment - the curse of our sin - upon Himself there as

     well (Isaiah 53:5-6).