Barabbas

Temple Baptist Church - 10-16-2024

John 18:38-40

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Tonight, I want to look at a man named Barabbas.  I have never preached on him so tonight will be a first for me and possible most of you.

 

B.  The crowd delivered Christ to Annas—who was the father in law to Caiaphas.  Then Annas sent Christ bound to his son in law, Caiaphas the high priest.  Then Caiaphas sent Christ to the judgment hall where Pontius Pilate—Procurator (the fifth governor prefect of Judaea), who was the proxy of Tiberius Caesar of Rome.  Pontius Pilate was placed between Tiberius Caesar and the Jews.

 

C.  After questioning Christ,  Pontius Pilate asked the question, “What is truth?”, washed his hands of the whole fiasco, declared that he found in Christ no fault at all, and asked the question: “But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”

 

D.  In answer to this final question, the Jews said, “ Not this man, but Barabbas.”

 

1.  There were three men in the “inner prison” in stocks awaiting crucifixion, the most horrible of deaths, the next day!

 

2.  They were three men who knew what they did (two thieves and a murderer) and that their death was just under the law.

 

3.  They were three men who were helpless and hopeless who knew nothing of what was transpiring this evening before crucifixion.

 

4.  Two would die for their evil deeds with one thief saying “And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds.”

 

5.  One, the most deserving of the three, would live and did not know it.  Though undeserving, he would walk free!

 

E.  In Barabbas, we find a beautiful type of the redemption of the believer!  There is perhaps no greater person that exemplifies the substitutionary death of the Believer by Christ in the New Testament better than Barabbas. Nothing is said anywhere in Scripture about Barabbas except in the four parallel or corresponding Gospels.  All four Gospels give us an enlightened view of this man.

 

1.  Barabbas (Bar-Abbas) was the son of Abbas.  The word “Bar” simply means “the son of.”  Our Lord called Simon Peter Barjona in Matthew 16:17, meaning Simon the son of Jonas or Jonah.

 

2.  We do not know who his mother was, his age or from where he came. He appears suddenly and just as suddenly, after his release, disappears.

 

3.  A beautiful type of the sinner in general.  Here, we find the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross for sinners in general.

 

F.  Who and what was Barabbas?

 

1.  Barabbas was a wicked man who deserved death.

 

a.  He was arrogant.  Matthew 27:16  And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas (prominent-arrogancy).

 

b.  He was a robber.  John 18:40  Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

 

c.  He was an insurrectionist and a murderer.  Mark 15:7  And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

 

d.  Christ loved sinners, including Barabbas.  He loves you and me! 

 

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

1 Timothy 1:15-16  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  (16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

 

2.  Barabbas was a condemned man, found guilty at the judgment hall.  He was bound in prison, and awaited execution! 

 

Mark 15:7  And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

 

John 3:17-21  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (19)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (20)  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  (21)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

3.  Barabbas was a fortunate man who would soon be released from the penalty of his sin. 

 

a.  The cross upon which Christ was crucified was meant for Barabbas.  “A holy man for a horrible man!”  The precious Son of God for Sinful man.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

 

b.  When He was on the cross, I was on His mind! Christ died on a cross that was meant for you and me. 

 

John 17:19-20  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  (20)  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

 

c.  We were condemned to death because of our sin. 

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

d.  When Christ was to be crucified, Barabbas was released from the penalty of his sins and released, made free.

 

4. Barabbas had no part in his release as it was purchased by the death of a Substitute.  Barabbas never expected to be set free.  He was condemned to death and no power on earth could stop it.  But God!

 

a.  Salvation is a gift that God gives.  Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

b.  Salvation is a free gift through a finished work.  Romans 3:23-28  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  (26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  (27)  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.  (28)  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

5.  Barabbas, after his release, was never mentioned again in the Bible nor charged again with his sin.  He was free indeed!

 

Psalms 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 

Isaiah 38:17  Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

 

Isaiah 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

 

Conclusion:  Barabbas is representative of all of us.  I do not know what happened to Barabbas, but I do know that Jesus died in his place. Jesus also died in my place, for my forgiveness and for my freedom. By His death and resurrection all who receive Him as Savior can have their sins forgiven, regardless of how bad their past has been, and can start a new life. What an offer! What an opportunity!