John 18:39-40

Give Use Barabbas

Introduction:

In our court system we sometimes hear of the guilty verdict later pronounced innocent due to DNA evidence. A man charged with murder served 22 years in prison of his life sentence but later DNA proved his innocence. What a horrible shame that a man’s life was ruined for being falsely accused. It is equally a crying shame when a murderous man is acquitted! Prov. 17:15 “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.” Calvin puts it, “God is far from delighting in such perverted pardon.  Let us learn by this example (the pardoning of Barabbas) that nothing is more perverted than to want to serve God by our own inventions.”

I. RELEASING THE GUILTY

A. The story of Barabbas as given by all four Gospel Writers Matt.27:15-23; Mk.15:6-14; Luke 23:17-23; John 18:39,40)

1. John gives us the condensed version – cf. John 1:11

2. Pilate employs Jewish customs for his sake –v.40

3. Barabbas a Robber, Murderer and Insurrectionist – (Mk. 15:7; Luke 23:19; Matt. 27:16

B. Matthew’s detailed account – Turn To: Matthew 27:15-26

1. Pilate’s decision was a complete disaster

2. How can majority rule in a dictatorship? (Gordon Keddie’s comment)

C. The World’s Choice – Rom. 3:9-12

1. The world will choose a hardened criminal over the righteous Son of God

2. Turn To: The Parable of the Pounds – Luke 19:11-27

D. The World’s Cry: “Give us Barabbas”

1. Give us Mohammed!

2. Islam a “peaceful religion”?

II. CONDEMNING THE INNOCENT

A. The meaning of the name Barabbas – “son-father,” “all the sons of fathers”

1. Barnhouse’s comment…

2. “Crucify Him,” “crucify Him”

B. Painting a vivid Picture of the substitutionary atonement of Christ –

II Cor.5:21

1. Dear unbeliever why do you desire to remain in the dungeon of sin?

2. Dear unbeliever why do you refuse to accept pardon from the Savior?

C. What could Bababbas do to redeem himself?

1. Could he remove his own chains with his bare hands?

2. Could he walk through the prison bars like a Phantom?

3. Yet every religion of the world thinks there is something they can do to escape the weight of their sin – II Tim. 1:9,10; Titus 3:5,6

Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church

207 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

10/21/2007