He Took Our Place

I. Introduction:

II. Text: Matthew 27:15-26

III. Jesus took Barabbas’ place

A. Pilate wanted to release Jesus and offered to let Him go.

B. The people, incited by the Jewish leaders, called for Barabbas’ release.

C. Barabbas was an insurrectionist and murderer. The people asked for one who took life instead of the one who gives life. Fearing the people, Pilate released Barrabas and crucified Jesus.

D. Barabbas

E. Perhaps he took this second chance seriously and obeyed the Law. Perhaps he rejoined his criminal friends and continued a life of crime.

F. I wonder if he ever knew who Jesus was?

G. Jesus was crucified, a just punishment for Barabbas but not for Jesus. I wonder if Barabbas ever tried to find out about Jesus since he inadvertently saved Barabbas’ life. We will never know what Barabbas did with his second chance.

IV. We all can have a second chance

A. That day in Jerusalem, Barabbas literally experienced what we all can enjoy spiritually.

B. Barabbas was condemned to death but Jesus took his place. Barabbas did not have to die for his crime but someone who was innocent died in his place. Romans 5:6-10 – Christ died for us when we were enemies Isaiah 53:4-6 – The Lord laid our iniquity on Him

C. The idea of a proxy death was introduced in the Old Testament

D. Leviticus 16:6-10 – The goat for the sin offering and the scapegoat Jesus was both the offering and the scapegoat.

E. We deserve death for our sin but, since Jesus took our place, we can have life.

V. What will we do with our opportunity?

A. The movie “Saving Private Ryan” was on the network movie over Veteran’s Day.

B. About a group of soldiers that venture into hostile territory to find the only remaining son of a woman whose other sons were killed in battle. When they find Private Ryan, he does not want to go but wants to help his fellow soldiers. In the end, many of his fellow soldiers, and many of the men who came to find him, were killed in a battle. After the battle, the captain who led the group to find Pvt Ryan was dying of battle wounds. The captain looked around at the dead and dying, and the carnage of war, then looked at Pvt. Ryan and said, “Earn this.” He wanted him to make something of his life as a result of their sacrifice. We are indebted to so many people who died to make our country free, to make something great of our country. However, we have a greater obligation to make something of our lives for the one who died to give us life. We must earn His sacrifice.

C. Earning the sacrifice

D. Ephesians 4:1-3 – Walk worthy of the calling1 John 2:5-6 – Walk as Jesus walked We were bought with a high price, therefore, we must live in a way that reflects our gratitude for such a high sacrifice.

E. If a person’s life is saved by another giving his life, the survivor will likely find all he can about the person who saved him and try to do something that honors the memory of the dead.

F. We must live a life of honor to respect the one who died to give us life. We must desire to know all we can about someone who would love us so much that He willing suffered and died for us. This helps us understand the tragedy of the one who turns his back on Jesus, and does not consider Christ’s sacrifice as anything special, Hebrews 10:26-29.

VI. What will you do with your opportunity?

A. We will never know whether Barabbas appreciated or squandered his second chance. It is ultimately important only to him.

B. The real question is, what will we do with our second chance?

C. Will we try to live worthy of the love and sacrifice offered to give us life?

D. Will we be apathetic about Jesus’ sacrifice and do nothing to honor Him? s