TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS:
SERMON TOPIC:
THE REAL REASON BARABBAS WAS SET FREE AND NOT JESUS.
Main Text:
Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; Luke 23:13–25; John 18:38–40
There are moments in Scripture that make us stop and ask, “How could this happen?”
Jesus was innocent.
Barabbas was guilty.
Jesus healed the sick.
Barabbas was a criminal.
Jesus preached love, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God.
Barabbas was associated with rebellion and violence.
Yet the crowd shouted:
“Release Barabbas!”
And concerning Jesus:
“Crucify Him!”
It looks like injustice won.
But here is the deeper truth:
Barabbas was not simply released because Jesus lost the argument. Barabbas was released because Jesus was going to take his place.
The story of Barabbas is actually a picture of the Gospel.
Barabbas represents the guilty sinner.
Jesus represents the innocent Savior.
Barabbas walked away free because Jesus walked toward the cross.
And that is the mystery of grace:
The guilty goes free because the innocent One takes his place.
1. BARABBAS WAS GUILTY, BUT JESUS WAS INNOCENT
Pilate examined Jesus and repeatedly found no sufficient reason to condemn Him.
Luke 23:22 says:
«“I have found no reason for death in Him.”»
Jesus was innocent.
But Barabbas had committed serious crimes.
Mark 15:7 tells us that Barabbas had been involved in rebellion and murder.
So, humanly speaking, the choice should have been obvious.
But the crowd chose Barabbas.
Why?
Because the cross was not an accident.
Jesus had already declared that He came to give His life for others.
Mark 10:45 says:
«“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”»
Jesus knew why He came.
He came to become the substitute.
Spiritual Insight
Sometimes we ask, “Why did Jesus have to die?”
The answer is partly found in Barabbas.
Someone had to bear the consequence of sin.
And Jesus willingly took that place.
2. BARABBAS RECEIVED WHAT JESUS DESERVED
This is the shocking part of the story.
Barabbas deserved punishment.
Jesus deserved no punishment.
Yet Barabbas walked out of prison.
Jesus walked toward Golgotha.
Barabbas went free.
Jesus was condemned.
Barabbas was released.
Jesus was crucified.
This is substitution.
The guilty person goes free because the innocent person takes his place.
Isaiah 53:5 declares:
«“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.”»
Notice the language:
Our transgressions.
Our iniquities.
Our punishment.
The cross was personal.
Jesus was not dying because He had sinned.
He was dying because we had sinned.
Think About This
Barabbas probably did not understand everything that was happening.
He may have walked out of that prison wondering how he escaped death.
But we know something he may not have understood:
Another Man died in his place.
And spiritually, that is our story.
We were guilty.
Christ took our place.
3. THE RELEASE OF BARABBAS REVEALS THE DEPTH OF GOD'S GRACE
Grace is not God pretending that sin does not matter.
Grace is God dealing with sin through the sacrifice of Christ.
Romans 5:8 says:
«“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”»
That means Jesus did not wait for us to become perfect before He loved us.
He loved us while we were still sinners.
Barabbas did not earn his freedom.
He did not negotiate his release.
He did not pay the governor.
He simply received an unexpected release.
That is grace.
Grace is receiving what you could never earn because someone else paid the price.
You cannot boast about salvation.
You cannot say, “I saved myself.”
No.
Jesus saved you.
4. THE CROWD CHOSE BARABBAS, BUT GOD WAS WORKING THROUGH THE CROSS
The crowd thought they were making the final decision.
But heaven had already established a redemptive purpose.
Acts 2:23 says that Jesus was delivered according to the “determined purpose and foreknowledge of God.”
This does not mean the people were innocent.
Their choices were still sinful.
But God was able to accomplish His redemptive plan through what sinful people intended for evil.
This is one of the mysteries of God's sovereignty.
People thought:
“We are getting rid of Jesus.”
God was accomplishing:
“I am providing salvation for humanity.”
The cross looked like defeat.
But it became victory.
The grave looked like the end.
But resurrection was coming.
Never Judge God's Work Too Early
There may be seasons in your life when everything looks like it is going in the wrong direction.
But remember Calvary.
Friday looked like defeat. Sunday revealed the victory.
Do not conclude the story while God is still writing it.
5. BARABBAS IS A PICTURE OF EVERY SINNER WHO RECEIVES SALVATION
We often read the story and say:
“Why did they release Barabbas?”
But there is another question:
“What if I were Barabbas?”
What if you were the one sitting in that prison?
What if you knew punishment was coming?
What if you knew you were guilty?
Then suddenly, the story becomes personal.
Barabbas walked out because Jesus took his place.
And every person who comes to Christ in genuine faith can say:
“I deserved judgment, but Christ took my place.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 says:
«“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”»
That is the Gospel.
Jesus took our place so that we could receive His righteousness.
BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:
THE CROSS
Look at the sequence.
Barabbas: Guilty.
Jesus: Innocent.
Barabbas: Imprisoned.
Jesus: Free.
Barabbas: Released.
Jesus: Condemned.
Barabbas: Walked away.
Jesus: Walked toward the cross.
Barabbas: Lived because another died.
Believers: Receive eternal life because Christ died and rose again.
The cross is therefore more than a religious symbol.
It is the place where justice and mercy met.
Justice says sin must be dealt with.
Mercy says sinners can be saved.
At the cross, Jesus bore the judgment so that mercy could reach us.
PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR CHRISTIANS.
1. Never take salvation for granted.
You were not saved because you were better than someone else.
You were saved by grace.
Therefore, remain humble.
2. Stop trying to earn God's love
You cannot work your way into salvation.
Serve God because you love Him, not because you are trying to purchase His acceptance.
3. Forgive others
If Christ has forgiven you, you must learn to extend forgiveness to others.
4. Live like someone who has been set free
Barabbas walked out of prison.
The believer has also been delivered from the dominion of sin.
Do not keep living like a prisoner when Christ has made you free.
5. Tell someone about Jesus
Your testimony may be simple:
“I was guilty, but Jesus took my place.”
That is powerful enough.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Have I truly understood what Jesus accomplished for me on the cross?
2. Am I trying to earn God's acceptance instead of receiving His grace?
3. Do I live like someone who has been set free?
4. Have I truly repented of my sins?
5. Who can I tell about the saving grace of Jesus Christ?
6. Do I extend to others the same mercy I have received from Christ?
POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS
1. Prayer of Thanksgiving
Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to take my place. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. I will never take my salvation for granted. In Jesus' name, Amen.
2. Prayer of Repentance
Lord Jesus, forgive me for every sin, disobedience, pride, and rebellion in my life. Cleanse me and help me walk faithfully with You. Amen.
3. Prayer for Freedom
Every chain of sin, addiction, fear, and spiritual bondage in my life, break in the name of Jesus. I declare that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Amen.
4. Prayer for Grace
Father, help me to understand the depth of Your grace and to live every day with gratitude for what Christ has done for me. Amen.
5. Prayer for Others
Lord, use my life to bring other Barabbases to Jesus—people who feel condemned, rejected, broken, and far from You. Let my testimony point them to the cross. Amen.
DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTH
Here is the heart of the message:
Barabbas was released, not because he was innocent, but because another took his place.
And that is the Gospel.
We are not saved because we are perfect.
We are saved because Jesus is perfect.
We are not accepted because we deserve it.
We are accepted because Christ paid the price.
We are not standing before God because of our righteousness.
We stand because of His righteousness.
The cross says:
“Your sin is serious, but God's grace is greater.”
CALL TO ACTION
Today, do not simply admire the story of Barabbas.
See yourself in it.
You were guilty.
Christ took your place.
You were condemned.
Christ bore the condemnation.
You were far from God.
Christ opened the way back to the Father.
The question is not merely:
“Why was Barabbas released?”
The deeper question is:
“What will I do with the Jesus who took my place?”
Will you continue living for yourself?
Or will you surrender your life completely to Him?
Will you keep returning to the prison of sin?
Or will you walk in the freedom Christ purchased for you?
Jesus took your place.
Now give Him your life.
«“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36»
You are not free because you were innocent.
You are free because Jesus became your substitute.
THE CROSS WAS HIS PLACE.
THE FREEDOM WAS YOURS.
THE SACRIFICE WAS HIS.
THE GRACE IS YOURS.
Come to Jesus. Remain in Jesus. Live for Jesus. And tell the world about Jesus.
Amen.
Give your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church near you.
You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/amazon shops below
https:/selar.com/m/umoh-edem1
https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks
CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540
Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128 https://www.facebook.com/share/14futvERWUD/TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS:
SERMON TOPIC:
THE REAL REASON BARABBAS WAS SET FREE AND NOT JESUS.
Main Text:
Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; Luke 23:13–25; John 18:38–40
There are moments in Scripture that make us stop and ask, “How could this happen?”
Jesus was innocent.
Barabbas was guilty.
Jesus healed the sick.
Barabbas was a criminal.
Jesus preached love, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God.
Barabbas was associated with rebellion and violence.
Yet the crowd shouted:
“Release Barabbas!”
And concerning Jesus:
“Crucify Him!”
It looks like injustice won.
But here is the deeper truth:
Barabbas was not simply released because Jesus lost the argument. Barabbas was released because Jesus was going to take his place.
The story of Barabbas is actually a picture of the Gospel.
Barabbas represents the guilty sinner.
Jesus represents the innocent Savior.
Barabbas walked away free because Jesus walked toward the cross.
And that is the mystery of grace:
The guilty goes free because the innocent One takes his place.
1. BARABBAS WAS GUILTY, BUT JESUS WAS INNOCENT
Pilate examined Jesus and repeatedly found no sufficient reason to condemn Him.
Luke 23:22 says:
«“I have found no reason for death in Him.”»
Jesus was innocent.
But Barabbas had committed serious crimes.
Mark 15:7 tells us that Barabbas had been involved in rebellion and murder.
So, humanly speaking, the choice should have been obvious.
But the crowd chose Barabbas.
Why?
Because the cross was not an accident.
Jesus had already declared that He came to give His life for others.
Mark 10:45 says:
«“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”»
Jesus knew why He came.
He came to become the substitute.
Spiritual Insight
Sometimes we ask, “Why did Jesus have to die?”
The answer is partly found in Barabbas.
Someone had to bear the consequence of sin.
And Jesus willingly took that place.
2. BARABBAS RECEIVED WHAT JESUS DESERVED
This is the shocking part of the story.
Barabbas deserved punishment.
Jesus deserved no punishment.
Yet Barabbas walked out of prison.
Jesus walked toward Golgotha.
Barabbas went free.
Jesus was condemned.
Barabbas was released.
Jesus was crucified.
This is substitution.
The guilty person goes free because the innocent person takes his place.
Isaiah 53:5 declares:
«“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.”»
Notice the language:
Our transgressions.
Our iniquities.
Our punishment.
The cross was personal.
Jesus was not dying because He had sinned.
He was dying because we had sinned.
Think About This
Barabbas probably did not understand everything that was happening.
He may have walked out of that prison wondering how he escaped death.
But we know something he may not have understood:
Another Man died in his place.
And spiritually, that is our story.
We were guilty.
Christ took our place.
3. THE RELEASE OF BARABBAS REVEALS THE DEPTH OF GOD'S GRACE
Grace is not God pretending that sin does not matter.
Grace is God dealing with sin through the sacrifice of Christ.
Romans 5:8 says:
«“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”»
That means Jesus did not wait for us to become perfect before He loved us.
He loved us while we were still sinners.
Barabbas did not earn his freedom.
He did not negotiate his release.
He did not pay the governor.
He simply received an unexpected release.
That is grace.
Grace is receiving what you could never earn because someone else paid the price.
You cannot boast about salvation.
You cannot say, “I saved myself.”
No.
Jesus saved you.
4. THE CROWD CHOSE BARABBAS, BUT GOD WAS WORKING THROUGH THE CROSS
The crowd thought they were making the final decision.
But heaven had already established a redemptive purpose.
Acts 2:23 says that Jesus was delivered according to the “determined purpose and foreknowledge of God.”
This does not mean the people were innocent.
Their choices were still sinful.
But God was able to accomplish His redemptive plan through what sinful people intended for evil.
This is one of the mysteries of God's sovereignty.
People thought:
“We are getting rid of Jesus.”
God was accomplishing:
“I am providing salvation for humanity.”
The cross looked like defeat.
But it became victory.
The grave looked like the end.
But resurrection was coming.
Never Judge God's Work Too Early
There may be seasons in your life when everything looks like it is going in the wrong direction.
But remember Calvary.
Friday looked like defeat. Sunday revealed the victory.
Do not conclude the story while God is still writing it.
5. BARABBAS IS A PICTURE OF EVERY SINNER WHO RECEIVES SALVATION
We often read the story and say:
“Why did they release Barabbas?”
But there is another question:
“What if I were Barabbas?”
What if you were the one sitting in that prison?
What if you knew punishment was coming?
What if you knew you were guilty?
Then suddenly, the story becomes personal.
Barabbas walked out because Jesus took his place.
And every person who comes to Christ in genuine faith can say:
“I deserved judgment, but Christ took my place.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 says:
«“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”»
That is the Gospel.
Jesus took our place so that we could receive His righteousness.
BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:
THE CROSS
Look at the sequence.
Barabbas: Guilty.
Jesus: Innocent.
Barabbas: Imprisoned.
Jesus: Free.
Barabbas: Released.
Jesus: Condemned.
Barabbas: Walked away.
Jesus: Walked toward the cross.
Barabbas: Lived because another died.
Believers: Receive eternal life because Christ died and rose again.
The cross is therefore more than a religious symbol.
It is the place where justice and mercy met.
Justice says sin must be dealt with.
Mercy says sinners can be saved.
At the cross, Jesus bore the judgment so that mercy could reach us.
PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR CHRISTIANS.
1. Never take salvation for granted.
You were not saved because you were better than someone else.
You were saved by grace.
Therefore, remain humble.
2. Stop trying to earn God's love
You cannot work your way into salvation.
Serve God because you love Him, not because you are trying to purchase His acceptance.
3. Forgive others
If Christ has forgiven you, you must learn to extend forgiveness to others.
4. Live like someone who has been set free
Barabbas walked out of prison.
The believer has also been delivered from the dominion of sin.
Do not keep living like a prisoner when Christ has made you free.
5. Tell someone about Jesus
Your testimony may be simple:
“I was guilty, but Jesus took my place.”
That is powerful enough.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Have I truly understood what Jesus accomplished for me on the cross?
2. Am I trying to earn God's acceptance instead of receiving His grace?
3. Do I live like someone who has been set free?
4. Have I truly repented of my sins?
5. Who can I tell about the saving grace of Jesus Christ?
6. Do I extend to others the same mercy I have received from Christ?
POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS
1. Prayer of Thanksgiving
Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to take my place. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. I will never take my salvation for granted. In Jesus' name, Amen.
2. Prayer of Repentance
Lord Jesus, forgive me for every sin, disobedience, pride, and rebellion in my life. Cleanse me and help me walk faithfully with You. Amen.
3. Prayer for Freedom
Every chain of sin, addiction, fear, and spiritual bondage in my life, break in the name of Jesus. I declare that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Amen.
4. Prayer for Grace
Father, help me to understand the depth of Your grace and to live every day with gratitude for what Christ has done for me. Amen.
5. Prayer for Others
Lord, use my life to bring other Barabbases to Jesus—people who feel condemned, rejected, broken, and far from You. Let my testimony point them to the cross. Amen.
DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTH
Here is the heart of the message:
Barabbas was released, not because he was innocent, but because another took his place.
And that is the Gospel.
We are not saved because we are perfect.
We are saved because Jesus is perfect.
We are not accepted because we deserve it.
We are accepted because Christ paid the price.
We are not standing before God because of our righteousness.
We stand because of His righteousness.
The cross says:
“Your sin is serious, but God's grace is greater.”
CALL TO ACTION
Today, do not simply admire the story of Barabbas.
See yourself in it.
You were guilty.
Christ took your place.
You were condemned.
Christ bore the condemnation.
You were far from God.
Christ opened the way back to the Father.
The question is not merely:
“Why was Barabbas released?”
The deeper question is:
“What will I do with the Jesus who took my place?”
Will you continue living for yourself?
Or will you surrender your life completely to Him?
Will you keep returning to the prison of sin?
Or will you walk in the freedom Christ purchased for you?
Jesus took your place.
Now give Him your life.
«“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36»
You are not free because you were innocent.
You are free because Jesus became your substitute.
THE CROSS WAS HIS PLACE.
THE FREEDOM WAS YOURS.
THE SACRIFICE WAS HIS.
THE GRACE IS YOURS.
Come to Jesus. Remain in Jesus. Live for Jesus. And tell the world about Jesus.
Amen.
Give your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church near you.
You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/amazon shops below
https:/selar.com/m/umoh-edem1
https://selar.com/m/umoedem
https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks
CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540
Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128
https://www.facebook.com/share/14futvERWUD/
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