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Reading: Jn 18.36-40
Theme: Life continually gives us options, what we do with each one matters.
Pilate saw himself as having options.
Prisoner release was a power play to make the people feel they had a good ruler.
This was not a requirement in the ancient world, but a way of keeping people contented.
There are records of many of the Roman rulers around the known world doing just this.
Pilate knew who he was dealing with.
There never was a single thing Jesus did to deserve this treatment.
The song Jesus Messiah says, “He became sin, who knew no sin, that we might become His righteousness...”
Pilate had advice from his wife.
While I know the importance of listening to my wife, it was not a common practice among Roman rulers.
There are many accounts of dreams being viewed as messages from the Roman gods.
This is not an admission that she had a relationship with the one true God.
It is amazing that we even have this recorded for us.
It really points out that Christians do support and recognise the role of women.
Pilate believed Jesus innocent of the crimes.
Pilate underestimated either the mood of the mob or the influence of the Jewish leaders, or both.
The section of Scripture we read earlier showed that Pilate had already had the conversation about truth.
While there is no indication that Pilate accepted Jesus as his saviour, he is indicating here that he believed Jesus was a better source of truth than the religious leaders.
Pilate chose an option that made himself look innocent while allowing grave injustice.
He believed it would extend his power, his reign, his authority.
He believed history would treat him well for it, but none of that happened.
Barabbas thought he had used up his options.
He was notorious.
v16
This was above average bad - he was Notorious/ infamous!
Barabbas was, quite possibly, a member of the Zealots.
The disciple Simon was also a member of this group.
He was a murderer.
Jesus has already referred to the 6th commandment several times in Matthew chapters 5,10; 19
He was part of an insurrection - the very charge against Jesus Christ.
Given options, people will often reveal their motives.
Barabbas had lived his life to personally make his view of God’s will happen.
In doing so he was willing to break God’s explicit commands.
He was condemned to die for his sins.
The swap was totally unexpected by Barabbas.
He could have easily been one who was hanging on a cross that weekend.
In God’s divine plan, it is not over till it’s over.
As long as we have breath, God can … (fill in the blank).
The religious leaders chose many bad options.
They chose to seek political answers to their spiritual problem.
They gathered together in front of Pilate for this very reason!
verse 17a
They chose the option of envy!
Now they are breaking commandment #9
They chose to destroy.
it is interesting that what the religious leaders were asking for was the destruction of Jesus.
They could not come to repentance, the the acceptance of God’s plan, to the knowledge of the truth.
Therefore they seek to have the evidence destroyed.
The Greek text uses a word here, ἀπόλλυμι apóllumi; means to forcefully destroy the evidence.
The religious leaders chose the MOB option over peace and order.
Mob rule does not bring people to godliness.
Jesus Christ laid down his options.
Jesus is submissive through this whole sham!
To seek and save the lost...
To lay down his life....
To fulfil even more Scripture.....
Conclusion: What we do with the options life brings our way matters.
We do not celebrate the life of Pilate, Barabbas, or any of the religious leaders today.
We celebrate the one who laid down his life to save us from our sins and ourselves.
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