The Passion: The Gospel of Substitution
Study The Word
Matthew 27:20-22
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
The trial of Jesus was not just any ordinary trial — this was more than the trial of Jesus, the world and all of mankind was on trial on that day. Jesus was being tried in our place, but the difference is He was innocent, but all have fallen short of the glory God and so He came to take our place.
When Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, both Pilate and Herod examined Him and found no fault in Him. Pilate declared, “I find no fault in this man.” Herod found nothing worthy of death. Even Pilate’s own wife sent word to him saying, “Have nothing to do with this just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.” And even Judas, the one who betrayed Him, came back and confessed, “I have betrayed innocent blood.”
ἀθῷος athōos innocent – not guilty, guiltless, free from punishment, without fault
He was faultless. He was sinless. He was innocent. And this is key — because God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He had to be without fault. He had to be the spotless Lamb. And so when Pilate, in accordance with the custom of releasing one prisoner at the feast of Passover, set before the people a choice — Barabbas or Jesus — the gospel of substitution was being enacted before their very eyes. Now, Barabbas was no ordinary criminal. The Bible says he was a notable prisoner. He was a notorious criminal, a notorious murderer, the worst criminal in the land. And Pilate thought, “Surely there is no way they will choose Barabbas over Jesus.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitude. They doubled down. They tripled down. They provoked the people, telling them, “Ask for Barabbas!”
Βαραββᾶς Barabbas son of the father – Bar (son) + Abba (father); son of the father
And the people said, “Barabbas!” Now think about this. Barabbas means “son of the father.” And here stood Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of the Father. Two sons. One guilty — the worst sinner in the land. One sinless — the Lamb of God. And the people chose to release the guilty and condemn the innocent. This is the gospel of substitution taking place! This is what was being played out! The innocent one takes the place of the worst sinner. The spotless Lamb takes the place of the most notorious criminal. And because of sin each and every single one of us are represented by Barabbas. We were the guilty ones. We were the ones deserving of death. And Jesus took our place. He was numbered with the transgressors so that we could go free.
And in the midst of all of this, do you know what Jesus said before Pilate? He said, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” He knew who He was. He knew His purpose. He knew where He was coming from, and He knew where He was going! Nobody ever spoke like Jesus! Even while being tried, beaten, spat upon, falsely accused — He was on top. He was never perturbed. He was never shaken! He said, “I have come into this world for this cause…To this end was I born.” Hahaa!
He was born for this moment. He came into the world for this cause. Hey, can you speak like that? Can you communicate like that? Can you say, “To this end was I born”? If you are a child of God, born again, born of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God — you too were born for a purpose. You too came into this world for a cause. And no trial, no opposition, no false accusation can stop the purpose of God for your life! So get up and go for it!
But now, the people cried out, “Let Him be crucified!” And Pilate washed his hands and said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person.” And the people answered, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” My goodness! And so we see Jesus — being tried by the religious authority, tried by the political authority, and tried by the democratic authority of the people — and was sentenced to be crucified. Three groups of authority tried and condemned Him. But God was using every single one of them to accomplish His divine purpose. The gospel of substitution was complete. The innocent Lamb took the place of Barabbas — and Barabbas is me and you. Glory to God!
So He took our place so that now, we could take and live in His place. He became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God. Condemned so that we could go free. That is the gospel!
Pray The Word
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gospel of substitution. Thank You for giving Jesus to take my place so that I could go free. Thank You that just as He was born for this purpose, that I too was born for a divine purpose that no betrayal, trial and judgement, or persecution can stop. I walk in the consciousness of His sacrifice and my purpose today, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Speak The Word
Jesus took my place! And by His one sacrifice on the cross, He has perfected me forever and I am now free! I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! I have come into this world for this cause. And to this end was I born — with unique divine purpose, a divine cause form the Father, so that I should bear witness unto the truth. No trial, no accusation, no opposition can stop the purpose of God for my life, in the name of Jesus Christ!