Mark 15:6-7 Now it was the custom at the feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.

Barabbas Public enemy #1 He is a murderer Involved in the rebellion, likely along with the 2 other criminals who are crucified next to Jesus Barabbas had tried to destroy the Romans A member of the Sicarri?

Pilate’s Plan Hopes the crowd will choose Jesus, the healer of sick and teacher of good NOT Barabbas, the dangerous murderer

Mark 15:9-15 Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? Asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of Jews?” “Crucify Him!” They shouted. “Why? What crime has He committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

Is that fair? NO!!!

YOU YOU

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely He(Jesus) took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But 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 iniquities of us all.

It’s not fair, but it was God’s only choice Humans God “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23 “For the wages of sin is death, But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

Substitution Theory of Atonement Where someone else dies in your place BUT it cannot be a sinner like you and I, otherwise they are just dying for their own sins It has to be someone who is innocent, someone not guilty of any crimes, of any sins The sinless Jesus did just that

And Jesus Wanted To Do It “for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” – John 10:11

Back in Egypt The lamb died in their place “For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7

What an Amazing Gift! Now what? There are expectations for us

God’s Expectations For Us “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore, all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them…” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

It’s not about us anymore It’s ALL about Jesus All day, every day, in everything we do

What Happened to Barabbas? Did he change his way of life? Did he continue to live like a criminal? Did he watch Jesus die on his cross? Did he become a Christian? We will never know the impact Jesus had on the life of Barabbas But we can know the impact Jesus has on your life

Here’s What You Can Do

God Had A Choice or