The Guilty Choice - Matthew 27:15-26

Good morning. How's everyone doing?

Good.

Always enjoy being with my church family. This is really a highlight of Renee and I's week. Very much. Enjoy the edification that I get within this body of believers as many of you know. We've we've been in the gospel of Matthew for quite some time.

Matthew 27:15-26 and the Guilty Choice

And this morning we're going to return to Matthew chapter 27. Where we're gonna find ourselves in verses 15 through 26. And the title of this message is the guilty choice. Now if you recall in our previous Message in Matthew chapter 27 at the beginning verses here.

We really were looking at a tale of two men if you recall. One was Pontius Pilate who was the governor who was guided by political calculation and self-interest and then we have one of Jesus Christ's own disciples Judas Iscariot who was also motivated by self-interest as he Betrayed Jesus Christ.

And as we examined our passage we we quickly concluded that our salvation was never intended to be brought about by a Political solution and likewise God's redemptive work was never really the result of a political settlement.

For his part Judas would betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin for a mere 30 pieces of silver if you recall and it was these actions that really started a cascading series of events that really lead us to our passage this morning.

You know, the Gospels did provide us with a rather complicated portrait of Judas where Matthew described him as remorseful yet Attempting to return the money and later hanging himself. Well never finding his way to repentance and his sermon entitled the bruised reed Richard Seebe's he described repentance as a bruising of the heart and a turning from sin through through divine grace.

And as it related to the importance of repentance in the remorseful response he conveyed this sentiment. He said the gospel repentance is not a little hanging down of the head. It's a working of the heart until your sin becomes more odious to you than the punishment for it.

So in the passage now that we're going to be examining in our message this morning we find this cascading series of events continuing to accelerate and With that we're going to introduce to yet another character in God's salvation story a man That was best described as the beneficiary of the guilty choice.

So, let's take a look at the passage now that is before us this morning. Let's take a look at Matthew chapter 27 verses 15 through 26. Matthew records this for us. He says now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.

And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore when they had gathered together Pilate said to them whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas or Jesus who's called Christ?

For he knew that they had handed them over because of in the envy. While he was sitting on the judgment seat His wife sent to him saying have nothing to do with this. Just me and for I've suffered many things today in a dream because of him but the chief priests and the elders Persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

The governor answered and said to them which of the two do you want me to release to you and they said Barabbas. Pilate said to them. What shall I then do with Jesus who was called Christ? Pilate said they said to him let him be crucified.

Then the governor said what evil has he done. But they cried out all the more saying let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a toll moat was rising. He took water.

He washed his hands before the multitude saying I am innocent of the blood of this just person you see to it. And all the people answered and said his blood be on us and our children. Then he released Barabbas to them and when he had scourged Jesus he delivered him to be crucified.

A Stark Choice Between Barabbas and Jesus

Now our story here takes one more step towards the cross. And as such we will examine this passage by addressing the following three points in our message this morning. The first point that I would like to lay out for you is a stark choice.

This will be addressed in Matthew chapter 27 verses 15 through 18. We will follow up this point with a second point the second point of a manipulated crowd. This will be addressed in Matthew chapter 27 verses 19 through 23 and then third we will conclude with our final point.

Which is the cascading consequences? This will be wrapped up in Matthew chapter 27 verses 24 through 26. So what we find here in Matthew chapter 27 verses 15 through 26 is Jesus is now facing his trial before Pontius Pilate and the crowd is given a choice of an innocent person by releasing Jesus or a guilty choice of Barabbas who was a notorious criminal.

Now as we consider these events one thing does become clear and that is the tendency of the human heart to choose the guilty choice. Oftentimes dictated by popular culture rather than what is true. And what is just.

Now this brings us to the first point in our message this morning. And of course in this unfolding story as well where we see a stark choice. So let's talk about this for a little bit. You know, there's an interesting thing that comes with a stark choice especially the one that we find here in this passage and that is that Barabbas was scheduled to die on the same day that that Jesus was arrested and tried and condemned to death and when the circumstances of Barabbas and Jesus cross paths here.

We find that a stark choice paints this picture of all of mankind being under sin. Of all of mankind being under the sentence of death and it paints this theological picture of substitutionary atonement as well.

But in order for us to understand this story more clearly we must first consider the crowds choice here in Matthew chapter 27 verses 15 through 18. We we find an angry crowd with a choice a choice between an innocent choice and a guilty choice here.

However, this case is not a simple one here because several conditions are at play in this unfolding story that we see. The first overriding condition is one of misinformation. The Jewish authorities had hoped that if if they fed pilot the right amount of misinformation that They would he would conclude that an execution was in order.

That a capital offense had been committed and that he would readily sign off on Christ's execution order. But we find that this story takes an unexpected turn here when pilot is not taken in by this at misinformation.

But rather he refuses to rubber stamp the execution order that the Jewish authorities had sought. So pilot was hesitant to condemn Jesus. But when Jesus refused to defend himself against the charges brought against him pilot now found himself in a political predicament here a Political predicament where he he basically was compelled to to find Jesus guilty, even though he believed him to be innocent.

Now this brings us to another condition that we see here in this part of the story. Where we see pilot now introducing another impediment to the plan of the Jewish authorities here. And that was they were planning on executing Jesus and trying to kind of railroad him through the Roman judicial system.

But pilot through an impediment into that plan. We call it the Passover custom of release. Now, what is Passover custom of release? In Matthew chapter 27 verse 15 We find pilot now trying to kind of politically find a way to to secure Christ's release.

And so he falls back on a tradition a tradition of release in a prisoner during the Passover observance. Now in his commentary on the Gospel of Matthew our key France He provides us with a really interesting perspective as it relates to this custom here where he says this.

He says there is no evidence outside the Gospels for this custom of individual amnesty during a festival time. The phrase is used in Matthew and Mark with no article. It might be read as applying to all festivals.

However in John chapter 18 verse 39, this was really specifically a Passover custom. So it would appear that this is a custom that was held and discharged during the holiest and highest and holy days of the nation of Israel and During this time, of course pilot would release one prisoner to the people as a show of good faith perhaps it was an effort to somewhat appease them because of the the the Roman occupation that they would be enduring for the rest of that year.

And so we find yet a third condition now that is introduced into the judicial chaos that we are seeing in this passage. And that is really the introduction of an undesirable option here. You know in the end this was really a political calculation on pilots part and it was not one that was ever guided by justice.

Pilot presented the crowd what he had hoped would be an even more undesirable choice than Jesus Christ. And he was ultimately hoping to influence the crowd's choice towards release in Jesus. In Matthew chapter 27 verse 16.

We we have Barabbas who was the guilty choice? He was well known in the community as a rebel as a criminal and according to Matthew chapter 15 verse 7 as well as what we see in Luke chapter 23 verse 19.

He was also a murderer as well. So by all rights Barabbas really represented sin and rebellion in the clearest of terms here and in Matthew chapter 27 verse 17 we find this guilty choice is Contrasted with Jesus Christ the innocent choice.

He was known as the Son of God the healer of afflictions. He was known as the performer of miracles. He represented righteousness and salvation for mankind. So the crowds choice here was a stark choice.

It was a clear choice and it would ultimately remove any possible Implication that the choice was just a lesser of two evils here.

Now.

This leads us to yet another observation that we really need to take a look at as it relates to these proceedings. And that's this issue of what pilots awareness was here. Now one thing that we really need to keep in mind as it relates to.

The typical Roman trial is typical Roman trials were were held between 6 in the morning and 10 o 'clock in the morning. The trial would include charges questions by the Roman governor presiding over the judicial proceedings.

The prisoners self-defense and of course finally a verdict. So that's typically how this thing would be laid out. But what we see here in Matthew chapter 27 verse 18 is that pilot knew Jesus was he was innocent of the whole matter and Really?

This whole matter was being driven by the jealousy and the envy of the religious leaders of the day. So pilot knew all this. Additionally, we also see that he had received a cautionary word from his wife who was being afflicted by a dream of the innocence of Jesus Christ as well and Even though Jesus Christ was silent in his defense it convinces pilot even more so of his innocence even though his silence would ultimately and usually be led to lead to one of the Lead to one issue in a condemnation and a guilty verdict here in Luke and John's Gospel accounts here.

We see this in Luke chapter 23 verse 4 as well as in and in John chapter 19 verses 4 through 6. We're provided with some more detail as it related to really pilots awareness. We're we're pilot even actually saw no foundation to the accusations to begin with.

Pilot even knew the motives behind the charges. But in the end, he lacks the courage to stand on his convictions and to discharge justice. So, what does he do. He does what all good politicians do and that is he tries to seek a Compromise instead and in this compromise pilot would treat Jesus as if he was guilty but then he would pardon him in accordance with the Passover custom of release and By picking Barabbas as one of the the least desirable of the crowds options here pilot was hoping that the crowd would go ahead.

And call for Christ's release. Because they couldn't stomach the thought of releasing a criminal in their midst and even so We find that pilot was acutely aware of Christ's innocence. But he would not rule justly here returning back to his political instincts and giving his crowd a stark choice.

So, how do these things apply to us as we walk in Christ. I Think as Christians each one of us will lead a life that presents us with clear choices. I think each one of us if we reflect on our life understand that there's been moments where we've been posed to make a choice at a crossroads per se.

And as such we find that We really time oftentimes one choice is being really directed and driven by popular culture. The other choice and the other direction is being driven by the faith and the walk that we have in Christ.

And so we too can find ourselves and positions where we are faced with stark choices as well. And just as we see the stark set of choices here in the beginning Verses of our passage this morning. I am here to tell you that.

So too is our responsibility for us to reflect on our choices and to ensure that they do align with God's truth. Each one of us are called on to glorify God in all things. The Apostle Paul spoke to this condition in his first letter to the Corinthian Church.

Where he told them in 1st Corinthians chapter 10 verses 31 through 33. He said therefore whether you eat or drink or whatever you do do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to the Jew or to the Greek or to the Church of God.

Just as I also please all men in all things not seeking my own profit. But the profit of many that they might be saved. So while we are free to make personal choices in life We must do so in a manner that seeks the good in others while not setting them back spiritually.

The Crowd Manipulated by the Chief Priests

Now this brings us to the second point in our message this morning if I may. And that's the case of a manipulated crowd here. So after the stark choices being laid out and presented by pilot Matthew now begins to shift the focus of the story from pilot to That of the crowd here and at this point pilot is hoping that the crowd will will choose Jesus for several different reasons.

First Barabbas is an actual threat to peace. I mean pilots certainly didn't want to see a rebel released into the community. So that was the one big thing that pilot saw was that that literally Barabbas was an actual threat and Jesus was not.

Secondly, we find that Pilots wife had had a troubling dream about Jesus and his innocence and he had even she had even warned her husband Saying have nothing to do with this righteous man. And third, of course pilot oftentimes would clash With Jewish leaders before and he was stubborn enough to oppose them just out of spite and he was hoping that offering this this You know undesirable choice would kind of spite the religious leaders of the day.

But the story doesn't end here. Because the Jewish authorities guess what they had their own agenda as well. And that was at play where we see this this environment that they were playing into which was an environment of politics and pressure in Matthew chapter 27 verses 19 through 23.

We we find a series of issues here now that complicate the judicial proceedings at hand and it exerts pressure on pilot. Into a position where he no longer has control of the situation. One such issue we see is that the wife of pilot in a dream warned about Jesus's innocence.

I mean pilot could not have foreseen this and I might say at this point. This was probably a point where he should have listened to his wife. The other issue we find is that pilot had no over control.

Really no control over how the crowd was being manipulated by the Jewish leaders of the day. And so what we find here is that even though a pilot presented Barabbas as a very undesirable option. So too was the chief chief priest's efforts to gin up the the anger of the crowd.

To basically free Barabbas and to to destroy Jesus Christ. Another observation that we also see in this unfolding story is the crowds delusion. So pilot offers the crowd a choice a stark choice here. But in Matthew chapter 27 verses 21 and 22 We find that the chief priests and elders they had persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas instead.

Even if Jesus had been convicted of sedition He still could have been exiled or maybe executed less brutally. So the chief priests and the elders they instigate the crowds to not only just call for Jesus Christ's guilt here.

But they call for the most worse and most gruesome punishment to be inflicted upon him. And when pilot invites their reaction, this is well, then what do I do with Jesus? They repeatedly shout crucify him.

Obviously crucifixion fit in quite nicely with the agenda of the chief priests and the elders here. We see this in Matthew chapter 27 verse 23. But we also see that the deluded crowd they simply refused to see the truth and they allowed themselves to be manipulated here.

Even pilots questioned to the crowd asking for the specifics of Christ's wrongdoing would be categorically dismissed by this crowd. So in the end mob justice would prevail and Justice predicated on the the actual facts in innocence here would be a casualty in this whole scenario.

Again, where's our at life application here? You know as a Christian I think if each one of us trying to look around and look at the society that we live in I think we would find that deception and misinformation or the order of the day I think we would find that the end that justifies the means seems to be an enduring value.

I Think we find that mob justice is oftentimes called community activism. So we live in a sick society here and yet the Apostle Paul we find the Apostle Paul admonished the Galatians in Galatians chapter 6 verses 7 and 8 Paul says do not be deceived.

God is not mocked for whatever a man sows that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption and he who sows to the spirit will of the spirit reap everlasting life.

Again, another stark choice again the importance of not being deceived. So the honest question that we really need to be asking ourselves here is do we let the crowd or perhaps maybe? Peer-presser or popular culture or even our own fear to guide our decisions or do we trust God instead?

In the book of Proverbs, we're given some really wise advice on this matter. Which we see in Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 and 6 Where the writer says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own Understanding and all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.

My brothers and sisters we have God's Word at our disposal. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to guide our steps. So let us not be deceived. This is a high calling that we must not overlook in our lives for as John Owen Atlee said He said God hath work to do in this world and to desert it because of its difficulties or its entanglements is to cast off his authority.

So let us be mindful of our choices and our actions and our beliefs. And let us have the courage to ask ourselves if such things that we are Pondering or that we're acting on or beliefs that we are embracing to see if those are truly grounded in the Word of God.

The Consequences of Rejecting Christ

Now we've covered a lot of territory here. But I'd like to visit one last point with you if I may and that is the cascading Consequences that we also see here in this story. You know as we consider the closing verses in our passage.

We we found now that the crowds are fully complicit here and the efforts to crucify Jesus Christ. In many ways they had allowed themselves to be manipulated. They certainly got carried away in the heat of the moment, but they had crossed the line that they could not go back from.

And so began a series of cascading consequences here that would usher in the events leading up to the footstep of the cross. You know consequences are a funny thing. They are seldom pleasant. They oftentimes bring about outcomes that are hurtful and maybe Speak to regret in the heart and yet we find that oftentimes are used by God here to accomplish his divine purpose.

And we see this in some of our closing observations as well. But while the crowds Sometimes they may get caught up in the heat of the moment. We see this as well. We find that they're still ultimately responsible for what they do.

They are responsible for the outcome of such actions, which were quite quite quite grave in this particular particular story here. One of the big consequences that we see in the closing verses of this chapter is the consequences of the mob mentality here at Matthew chapter 27 verse 24.

We find pilot dealing with a crowd that is becoming more and more unruly. Now this wasn't just an angry crowd crying out for crucifixion. But rather it was a situation that was very quickly getting out of control here.

In fact the Greek word that that Matthew uses in this particular instance is quite descriptive. The meaning of the word tumult is is translated from this Greek noun. Which is a thoroughbose which by word definition is used to describe a riot or an uproar.

So it isn't just a crowd loudly expressing its displeasure here. But rather it's a crowd that has gotten to the point where violence and insurrection was a fast approaching possibility. So pilot seeing the escalating mob mentality.

He quickly loses interest in rendering a just verdict and in an attempt to avoid responsibility. What does he do? He would symbolically wash his hands in an effort to distance himself from this miscarriage of justice.

Now this symbolic act was kind of rather absurd when you think about it. I mean after all pilot is responsible before Rome to to govern and he's responsible for God's To to govern justly we see this in Romans chapter 13 verses 3 and 4.

But that's not what he does here simply put he makes a political calculation to renounce his duties to really declare his own innocence to repeat his refusal to take responsibility. And his next phrase is quite telling when he instructs the crowd here see to it yourselves.

So he kind of punts the ball here. And then he capitulates and he releases Barabbas to the crowds but his efforts to proclaim his innocent here innocence are really delusional at best. And History, of course would ultimately lay the consequences squarely on his shoulders.

Because in the end the mob mentality is not a good form of justice here. Now this is not the only consequence that I think that we find in these closing verses here I think we find another consequence which I call the consequence of generational disregard.

And this is a very chilling part of the story as well in Matthew chapter 27 verse 25. We find ourselves to the point here where where pilot renounces his responsibility for Christ's impending death and the crowd here.

They enthusiastically they accept the blood responsibility by making this very chilling statement. They said his blood be on us and our children. Imagine that I mean. This is a very chilling statement here because the people here are not only denying the Savior.

They're not only breaking with God's covenant and they are basically not only cursing themselves, but they're cursing their children as well. This is rather breathtaking. To not only embrace the consequences that would come from a miscarriage of justice, but to wish them on your own children as well.

That thoughts quite incomprehensible when you think about it. Now this brings us to one last observation, which I believe is the most condemning consequence in this whole story. And that is the consequence that comes with rejecting Christ.

In Matthew chapter 27 verse 26, we find that Barabbas is released. We find that Christ is beaten and the final consequence comes to fruition where Christ is rejected by the crowd. Regrettably we live in a time where modern-day Christianity has really become derelict in its duty and pointing out the consequences of those who reject Christ.

The Prophet Isaiah, he really lays out a very compelling case regarding this matter. We find this in Isaiah chapter 59 verses 1 2 where the Prophet tells us this. He says behold the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save nor is his ear heavy that it cannot hear.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear. So the separation that Isaiah is speaking about here in these verses really has eternal implications.

Especially for those who continue to reject God. And just a couple chapters earlier than this passage in Matthew chapter 25 we find Jesus Christ also speaking about these irreversible Consequences that come from rejecting him.

We see this in Matthew chapter 25 verse 41. Where Jesus Christ himself said this he says then he will also say to those left on the left hand depart from me. You cursed into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels now.

This is not a very seeker friendly statement made by our Lord and Savior here. So the consequences of rejecting Christ are very grave indeed and the present and the eternal Consequences of rejecting Christ are very real as well.

What is so sad is that guess what we still have hope in Christ. 2nd Peter chapter 3 verse 9 Clearly tells us that God desires that everyone to repent and come to Christ for salvation. And yet we find that the crowd would be unmoved.

The die was set. The cascading consequences would move more swiftly to its proper end. Which was beyond the point of no return. Do not be deceived. When sinners reject God moral decline will most certainly follow and any objective inquiry in the world in which we live today I think is a testament to that fact.

In his letter to the church at Rome the Apostle Paul paints a Grim picture of a sick society that had rejected Christ where he clearly stated this. He says since they did not see fit to acknowledge God God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

So when the crowd rejected Christ that day they went headlong into God's judgment. Furthermore by proclaiming that Christ's blood would be on their account and also that of their children. Such would really underscore the depravity that they had sunk to that day.

Now while this really paints a rather somber picture for us this morning. I think there's still one application. That's still in order here if I may you know as Christians if we're not careful we may look at the crowds who would blindly cry out for Christ's crucifixion and Somehow believe that this was just kind of like an isolated incident here.

However, we to live in a sick society that really continues to reject Christ. There's examples of that all around us. For some they reject Christ with a lot of anger and malice while others tend to want to create a sanitized form of Christ that that condemns no sin that that renders no judgment that explains Away all behavior and of course never sends anyone to hell.

But let's not forget that the gospel is a choice that's made by the regenerative heart here. So for those of us who reject such things whether it be the crowds crying out for Christ's crucifixion or those who reject Christ in the times in which we live today or even those who tend to want to Reimagine Christ into something that it's clearly not We find that each of these outcomes is still the same.

Thomas Watson once observed this he said that the greatest judgment God lays upon a man's life is to let him in his sin without hindrance. Like the crowd we are oftentimes Straight swayed by pressures or desires that God calls on each one of us to choose Jesus instead.

Who is the way? The truth and the life. So let us make a deliberate choice to follow Christ even when it's unpopular or difficult. Now obviously there's wisdom and discernment that are in order here as we navigate the days ahead but God's Word here is very unequivocal and it's quite clear about the internal consequences that come from rejecting Christ and Thankfully, we're not expected to deliver a message.

That's without hope as Christians. And while Christ was subjected to a verdict that was really deeply unjust It was nonetheless necessary for God's plan of salvation and for our redemption. The prophet Isaiah he predicted this where he wrote in Isaiah chapter 53 verse 7.

He said that but he was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities and the chastisement of our peace was upon him and by his stripes. We are healed. God's grace is available to forgive and to redeem all of our wrong choices when we turn to him and.

Even in times when we fall short, we should find encouragement to persevere. We see this in Hebrews chapter 12 verse 11 versus now. No chastening seems to be joyful for the present but painful. Nevertheless afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

For those of us who are in Christ, we have already experienced this great blessing of salvation. So, let us be thankful and not high-minded towards other people for his part. Barabbas at this point will really drop out of history.

Especially in Matthew's account. We don't really hear anything more about him. But you know, I often wonder whatever came of Barabbas. Did he ever come to the realization that Christ had become the substitute for him on that day at the cross?

Or whether a Barabbas would ever recognize his new lease on life had really been given to him by Christ's sacrificial love. Or for that matter, would he ever come to believe that? Jesus Christ was the son of the Living God.

In the end, we really do not know the outcome of Barabbas's fate. But we do know that each individual here is faced with the choice to accept or reject Jesus a Savior. So in the end, I would like to say that we should live in a countercultural way when the crowds say otherwise.

And let us follow Christ in all things. And of course in everything let us proclaim the gospel when opportunities cross our paths as well. Let's pray our Heavenly Father. Lord we Spent some time in a very very difficult story.

And yet Lord we see that your sacrificial love in full display. Lord the institutions of man will certainly fall short. They will fail us. It can be quite discouraging. But let our hope be in you. Let our redemption be in you.

Let us look to you in all of our ways. So Lord, I just ask that as each family ponders these things and goes their separate ways that they will keep in mind. That the choices that we make should be centered in your truth.

That the justices that we seek for the innocent should be borne out by by your will Lord, not our own. Or that the love that we show for one another will be sacrificial and meaningful as well. And that will always be thankful for the salvation that blessing of salvation that we now enjoy.

Press us in your name. Amen.