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Well, good morning. If you have your Bibles, and I hope you do, I want to invite you to join me
in Luke chapter 22. It's where we're going to be this morning. I want to echo what Pastor Dave said
and welcome our first-time guest. If you're a first-time guest, we want to thank you for being
here. Thank you for worshiping with us. At the end of the service, I'll be back here to my left,
back here at these tables, along with my wife, Erin. We would love to meet you, to shake your hand,
to thank you for worshiping with us. And if you have any questions about us at Willow Ridge Church,
we would love to be able to answer those. And maybe this isn't your first time, you've been
coming for a few weeks, but we haven't had the privilege and opportunity to meet you yet.
Please stop by. We would love, love to meet you. Also, at the very end of the service, we'll do the
message. We'll have a time of response. And then at the very end, we will partake in the Lord's
Supper together. And so the elements are back here, right at the entrance as you came in this morning.
If you did not pick up some of those, and you would like to partake in the Lord's Supper with us,
we want to invite you. Right now would be a great time. You can just go back there and you can grab
the elements so that you can be a part of that with us. We do, if you're a believer in Jesus Christ,
whether you call Willow Ridge Church your home or not, we want to invite you to join us in taking of
the Lord's Supper together. And we'll give some specific instructions about how we do that
at the end of the service. When we are beginning, we got done with Titus. It took us two years to
get through Genesis, took us six weeks to get through Titus. And so we're now starting our Easter
series. Easter feels like it sneaks up on us really quick each and every year. And it's a wonderful time.
We always know Easter season's coming, right? Because before Easter, there's the pollen.
And so we've got the pollen is here. The Easter season is here. And we're going to be working
through some different passages of scripture over the next several weeks. But in a few weeks,
we'll be Easter morning. We do a little bit different. We started a different little tradition
around here a few years ago. And we love it. It's a part of what God's called us and wired us to do
together. So I want to share with you the schedule of that so that you can choose what works best for
you and for your family. But at eight o'clock that morning, we do not call it a sunrise service. We
just call it an early service, right? We're not out there as the sun comes up. But at eight o'clock
in the morning, we'll have our outdoor worship service, our early worship service. It is for the
entire family. It'll be on the lower level of the parking lot. And so we want to invite you, if you
want to choose to worship during that time, please come and do so. And we'll worship together.
And then at 9 a.m., we'll have a church-wide breakfast. It's become just a wonderful time
for us to gather together as a church family. Grits, bacon, eggs, all the trimmings, everything
to get us loaded up and to prep us for that Easter lunch that we're going to have later. So we want to
invite you and your family to be a part of that. Some of the things that we've been able to hear the
last couple of years, and so we're adapting and changing a little bit with this. We will have a
couple of the classrooms open and available. There's no way we could do the tables and chairs for
everyone. So we're going to have some seating with tables and chairs in 102-104. And we're
going to ask that we reserve those for our senior adults and families with little ones. So we'll
have that. But then for everyone, you can stand outside, you can sit on the walls, you can gather
in the lobby, you can even come in here to eat breakfast that morning. But a wonderful time
of fellowship together. And then at 1015, we'll gather in here for service as the entire family,
again, kids all the way through to have that time of worship together. Now, the 8 o'clock
and the 1015, they are identical services, all right? So if you want to come to both,
hey, that's great. We'd love to have you. You can come get a double dose of worship that
morning. I would love to have you join us. But if you're sitting there and you're like,
I think I've heard this message before, you did at the 8 o'clock. So we'll be here and we'll
worship together. So we're looking in Luke 22. We're going to begin our study of leading us
up to Easter by this morning of looking as Jesus appears before four trials. And so we're going to
look at the weight and the impact and what God is teaching us about Christ and about who we are
and about his work through in Christ and his work through in us by looking at that. But I want us to
look at this verse as we kind of set our hearts on God's word for what he has for us. Luke 23, 24-25.
So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.
He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder
for whom they asked.
But he delivered Jesus over to their will. Would you pray with me?
God, we thank you for this wonderful opportunity that we have to gather here together.
God, there may be many reasons, routine,
community,
loneliness,
obligation,
many reasons that may have brought us here this morning.
But the true reason
is Christ.
So God, as we focus in,
especially on these next three weeks,
on the work that's done on the cross,
the power of the resurrection,
this morning as we look at an innocent man
declared guilty,
God,
God, I pray for whatever reason that we find ourselves
here this morning,
that you will stir our hearts,
Father, for your son Jesus.
That we will grow in love
and devotion for him.
We will give you all the praise
and honor and glory.
because life is made possible
through him
and through him alone.
And it's in Jesus' name we pray.
Amen. Amen.
Well, as a pastor,
you always are looking for
the next sermon series to work through,
the next book to work through,
how you're going to flow,
how you're going to kind of look at your
outlining throughout Scripture as you go through the year.
And there's two times of year
where it's just kind of naturally there for us.
It's the Easter season
and it's the Christmas season.
We kind of got the passages
that we'll work through.
And each year,
what I try to do
is build us a historical timeline
that leads us to the events
that we're leaving out
because there's no way
that we could possibly cover
every single thing that's happened,
but everything is continuing to show
in the journey of what's there.
So this morning, like I shared,
we're going to look at the trials of Jesus,
Jesus before the Sanhedrin,
Jesus before Pilate,
Jesus before Herod,
and then Jesus before Pilate again,
before he gets condemned to death.
This will be the story that we see.
But this is not just a moment
that happened out of nowhere.
It's a journey that has been happening
and then taken place.
And so the Sunday before this happens
in this Passion Week timeline,
if we were to read through the Scripture,
we're to see that this is the day
that Jesus enters into Jerusalem
with shouts of Hosanna.
Jesus will go and he'll weep over Jerusalem.
He will enter into the temple
and he'll return to Bethany.
He enters into the shouts of praise
where we'll see this morning
the same folks who would have said
Messiah, King, now call for crucifixion.
On Monday, while he'd be with the disciples,
he curses the fig tree.
He clears the temple
and he returns to Bethany with the twelve.
On Tuesday,
as he journeys back into Jerusalem,
the disciples see the withered fig tree.
The authority to Jesus
and the resurrection
is challenged at the temple.
And very important
for what we'll see today,
Jesus teaches on paying taxes to Caesar.
He then has the Olivet Discourse
on the way to Bethany
as Jesus shares
that the temple will be destroyed,
wars and persecution
will take place
and Jerusalem will be destroyed
among others.
Wednesday,
Jesus continues
to teach
in the temple
and the Sanhedrin
begin to plot
for the execution
of Christ.
Thursday,
in the time
that we begin to see
in the upper room,
the Passover meal,
the Last Supper,
the upper room discourse,
Jesus prays
in the garden.
In these weeks,
I mean,
I'm sorry,
in these days
that are leading up
to the events
that we'll look at
this morning,
you will notice
that Jesus
is not short of words.
Teaching
after teaching
until he finds himself
in the garden
and he begins to pray.
Early Friday morning
sometime after midnight
where we find ourselves
this morning,
Jesus has been betrayed
by Judas
with a kiss.
Jesus is arrested
and the mockery
of his trials
begin.
Would you look with me
at Luke 22?
We're going to read
starting in verse 66.
When they came,
the assembly of the elders
of the people
gathered together,
both chief priests
and scribes.
They led him away
to their council
and they said,
if you are the Christ,
tell us.
But he said to them,
if I tell you,
you will not believe.
And if I ask you,
you will not answer.
But from now on,
the Son of Man
shall be seated
at the right hand
in the power of God.
So they all said,
are you the Son of God then?
And he said to them,
you say that I am.
And they said,
what further testimony
do we need?
we have heard it
ourselves
from his own lips.
Then the whole company
of them arose
and brought him
before Pilate.
So Jesus is arrested
and he's taken
before the religious
leaders of the day.
The group that we know
as the Sanhedrin.
The group that on Wednesday
have plotted this
all along.
This is not
the unfolding
of due process.
This is not
the unfolding
of legal matters
that take place.
This is a mob
who for their own
self-interest
view Jesus
as a problem
and due to their own
sin desire
to have him killed.
Now this group though
would have been given
certain rights
under Roman authority.
And so their goal
is the execution
of Jesus
but they do not
have the right
to execute
this judgment
legally.
So what the scripture
says
is once they've
heard what can
satisfy
the sinfulness
of their souls
they take him
to who can
and they bring him
before Pilate.
Let's continue
on verse 2.
And they began
to accuse him
saying
we found this man
misleading our nation
and forbidding us
to give tribute
to Caesar
and saying
that he himself
is Christ
a king.
And Pilate
asked him
are you
the king
of the Jews?
And he answered
him
you have said
so.
Then Pilate
said to the
chief priest
and the crowds
I find
no guilt
in this man.
They were
urgent
saying
he stirs up
the people
teaching throughout
all Judea
from Galilee
even to this
place.
When Pilate
heard this
he asked
whether this man
was Galilean
and we learned
that he belonged
to Herod's
jurisdiction
he sent
him over
to Herod
who was
himself
in Jerusalem
at the time.
So the Sanhedrin
brings Jesus
before Pilate
before someone
who can
implement
the penalty
that they
desire.
They bring him
before
with three
charges
that they share.
They say
that Jesus
has been
misleading
our nation.
What they're
trying to
paint a picture
of
is that
Jesus
is trying
to start
a riot.
Jesus
is trying
to overthrow
the government.
But here's
what we know
when we read
through the story
right?
Thursday night
in the garden
coming to get
arrested.
What does
Jesus do
as they
come to
arrest him
and as Peter
goes off
to attack?
Jesus stops
it.
He's not
trying to
create a
riot.
He actually
has prevented
one from
taking place.
Lie number
one.
Number two.
Jesus
opposes
tax payments
to Caesar.
Right?
Tax day
is coming up
for us too.
You got to
pay him.
All right,
there we go.
Again,
not true.
Not true.
Jesus just
taught Wednesday.
Just taught
Wednesday.
Give to Caesar
what's Caesar's.
Lie number
two.
Number three.
Jesus
claims to be
Messiah.
Jesus
claims to be
king.
And this
is interesting.
Pilate
doesn't
dive in
to these
others.
But he
latches
on to
this.
He
latches
on to
it.
Not
to the
whole
region.
He says,
you king
of the
Jews.
Now,
Jesus'
reaction
is somewhat
similar to
the last
part of
his
reaction
to the
Sanhedrin.
Jesus
has been
intentionally
teaching about
who he is,
about what
he's come
to do.
Jesus
has been
very open
and very
vocal.
And he
looks at
Pilate.
And I
can only
imagine
in this
the confidence
in his
eyes that
Pilate
would have
seen.
You know,
when you feel
like someone's
trying to lie
to you,
or someone's
speaking truth,
the difference
in what
the face
looks like.
And in
the very
face of
God,
and in
the fulfillment
of what
he's come
to do,
he says,
you say
so.
You say
so.
Jesus is
not denying.
Jesus is
not backing
down.
I am
the
Messiah.
I am
the
king.
And it's
interesting
that in
this,
that
Pilate
sworn to
Caesar
to make
sure that
everything's
calm,
everything's
peaceful,
finds that
Jesus has done
nothing
wrong.
Nothing
wrong.
But the
leaders,
these religious
leaders,
they insist
that this is
impossible,
that Jesus
is an
agitator.
He's an
agitator to
law.
He's an
agitator to
the rule.
He must be
dealt with.
And then they
mess up.
They say
that he's
from Galilee.
And Pilate's
like,
oh,
I'm out
of my
jurisdiction.
This isn't
for me.
This is
for Herod.
And so he
sends
Jesus to
Herod.
Herod,
who's in
Jerusalem.
In verse
eight.
When Herod
saw Jesus,
he was very
glad,
for he had
long desired
to see him,
because he
had heard
about him.
And he
was hoping
to see
some sign
done by
him.
So he
questioned
him at
some length,
but he
made no
answer.
The chief
priest and
scribes
stood by,
vehemently
accusing
him.
And Herod
with his
soldiers
treated him
with contempt
and mocked
him.
then arraying
him in
splendid
clothing,
he sent
him back
to
Pilate.
And Herod
and Pilate
became friends
with each
other that
very day,
for before
this they
had been
at enmity
with each
other.
So it's
kind of
strange
begins that
Herod's
excited,
he's glad
to see
Jesus.
You see,
the story
of Christ
was spreading.
I mean,
how could it
not?
Blind people
see,
people would
never walk,
walk,
demons cast
out,
even a dead
man brought
back to
life.
Herod's
like,
I'm
intrigued
by this
guy.
Now he
questions
Jesus,
and the
crowd
continues
to shout
allegations
and
accusations
against
Jesus.
But Jesus
does not
answer him
or the
crowd.
He said,
he's
testified.
Herod would
have heard,
Herod would
have known,
and Jesus
stands there.
And it
says
that they
mock
Jesus.
ironically,
they went
and got
the clothes
of a
king,
and they
put him
on the
king.
And then
he sends
him back
to Pilate.
Verse 13,
Pilate
then called
together the
chief priests
and rulers
and the
people
and said
to them,
you brought
me this
man as
one who
was misleading
the people.
And after
examining him
before you,
behold,
I did not
find this
man guilty
of any
of your
charges
against
him.
Innocent.
Neither
did Herod
for he sent
him back
to us
innocent.
Look,
nothing
deserving
death
has been
done by
him.
Innocent.
Verse 16,
I will
therefore
punish
him
and
release
him.
Pilate
calls
everybody
back
together.
He gets
all the
crazies
and their
cousins.
come on
around.
Nothing
this
man
has
done
points
to his
guilt.
but to
appease
the
crowd.
To
appease
the
masses.
I'll
punish
him.
Now,
this isn't
like
there's a
fine that
you'll
pay.
His plan
is to
beat him.
And the
Romans
were
excellent
at this.
Romans
understood
the
body
and
the
composition
of
the
body.
They
knew
what
level
of
degree
the
human
body
could
take
in
torment
and
torture.
And when
they
punished,
they would
bring you
to the
point
of
death
and then
stop.
And then
they'd
nurture you
back to
health
so that
they could
do it
over
again.
And this
is what
he promises.
But it's
not good
enough.
Verse 18,
But they
all cried
out
together
away with
this man
and released
to us
Barabbas.
A man
who has
been thrown
into prison
for an
insurrection
started in
the city
and for
murder.
Pilate
addressed
him once
more desiring
to release
Jesus.
A pagan,
an idol
worshiper
is standing
before
the people
who claim
to be
the people
of God.
And he
desires
to release
the Messiah
that they've
longed for.
But they
kept shouting,
crucify,
crucify him.
A third
time,
he said
to them,
why?
What evil
has he
done?
I found
in him
no guilt
deserving
death.
I will
therefore
punish
and release
him.
But they
were urgent,
demanding
with loud
cries that
he should
be crucified
and their
voices
prevailed.
So Pilate
decided that
on their
demand
should be
granted.
He released
the man
who had
been thrown
into prison
for insurrection
and murder
for whom
they asked,
but he
delivered
Jesus
over
to their
will.
The most
horrific
moment
of the
night.
The crowd
says,
kill Jesus,
give us
Barabbas.
Now we don't
know much
about Barabbas,
but here's what
we do know
from Scripture,
just from what
we just read.
They accused
Jesus of starting
insurrections.
Barabbas
started insurrections.
But in this,
Barabbas had
murdered
individuals.
We would
think of him,
we would
think of him
in today's
setting,
Barabbas,
as a terrorist.
It was his
responsibility
of what he
had taken
on himself
to undermine,
to work
through fear,
through chaos,
through panic,
through taking
of life.
And this is
what this man
does.
these four
trials.
We see
injustice
in our
world today.
Injustice
has been
a theme
of humanity
since the
fall in the
garden.
There's
never been
a greater
injustice
than on
this night.
Jesus
before the
Sanhedrin,
Jesus
before Pilate,
Jesus
before
Herod,
Jesus
back
before
Pilate.
Hollywood
could not
create a
greater story
of injustice
than the
one we
just
witnessed.
What is
Jesus
guilty
of?
Nothing.
You see,
it's not just
that Jesus
isn't guilty
of the
charges.
Jesus
isn't guilty
of anything.
There's
no one
point in
time
in the
men in
the Sanhedrin
who want
to uphold
the law
of God
that Jesus
has violated
it.
Completely
and perfectly
innocent.
traded
for a
man
declared
guilty
by the
courts.
How could
this happen?
Why could
this happen?
What's God
teaching us
in this
story?
I want to
ask you
four questions
this morning
to think
about as
we go
in,
not just
to the
Easter
season,
but as
we look
at these
trials of
Jesus.
Four
questions
for you
and I
to examine
in the
harsh
reality
of the
truth
that is
here.
Question
number
one.
Does
your
practice
of
religion
inhibit
your
following
of
Jesus?
Now,
the trial
that we
begin,
remember
the charges
of what's
there are
before
Jewish
authorities.
They're
religious
trials,
is what we
see at
the very
beginning.
And they
show to
the degree
what these
religious
leaders
hated him
because they
carelessly
disregarded
their own
laws.
These men
are so proud
of knowing
the law,
of fulfilling
the law,
that they're
willing to
abandon
what they
believe that
God's
word has
called
them to.
You see,
several
illegal
activities
that
happened
in the
course
of
this.
Number
one,
no trial
was to
be held
during the
time of
the feast.
It's
Passover
season,
law number
one broken.
Number
two,
each member
of the
court
was to
vote
individually
to convict
or
acquit,
but Jesus
was
convicted
by the
mob.
Number
three,
if the
death
penalty
was
given,
and this
is what
they're
fighting
for,
if the
death
penalty
was
given,
a night
must
pass
before
the sentence
was
carried
out.
However,
only a
few
hours
would
pass
between
the
time
that
Jesus
was
convicted
and
placed
on
the
cross.
Number
four,
they had
no
authority
to
execute
anyone,
but it's
what they're
fighting
for.
No
trial,
number
five,
no trial
was to
be held
at night,
but this
trial was
held before
dawn.
Number
six,
the accused
was to
be given
counsel,
and Jesus
was given
none.
Number
seven,
the accused
was not
to be
asked
self-incriminating
questions,
but Jesus
was asked
these questions
over and
over again.
Why?
Because
these men
were so
in love
with their
self-righteous
image of
themselves
that it
bypassed
the truth
of God's
word and
their desperate
need for the
Messiah that
they longed
to be
crucified.
When our
hearts
pursue
self-righteous
religion
of our
goodness
and our
glory,
we become
our own
standard of
holiness.
For the
Sanhedrin,
they had
become
their own
God
standing
on their
perversion
of truth
without the
markings
of humility
and love
shown and
displayed to
them in this
moment by
Jesus.
my caution
for us,
my caution
for you
is that
in your
pursuit
of religion
to make
yourself
right,
to do
good,
to make
sure that
you find
yourself
appealing
and
pleasing
to God
that
you
don't
miss
the
Savior
who's
standing
before you.
There are
men
and women
who fill
churches
all over
this world
where Christ
is proclaimed
but who
find
their
confidence
in the
religion
of man
instead of
the Savior
of the
world.
Number two,
number two,
do you
believe Jesus?
Do you
believe Jesus?
Now there's
a more
common
question
that we
ask.
That question
is do you
believe in
Jesus?
But I'm
asking a
different
question
this
morning.
Do you
believe
Jesus?
Do you
believe
Jesus?
You see
the trials
of what
they're
having
is not
do you
believe
in this
guy?
The
question
is not
do you
believe
in
Jesus?
The
question
that's
on trial
is do
you
believe
Jesus?
Do
you
believe
what
he
said?
Do
you
believe
what
he's
taught?
Do
you
believe
what
he's
testified?
What
is
on
trial
is
not
Jesus
existence
what's
on
trial
is
what
did
Jesus
say?
And
do
you
believe
him?
I
find
that
so
many
times
within
here
within
people
who
profess
Christ
as
their
Lord
and
Savior
they
believe
in
Jesus
but
do
you
believe
Jesus?
Do
you
believe
the
commands
that
he's
called
us
to
the
life
that
he's
called
us
to
the
submission
that
he calls
us
to
they
ask
him
did
you
say
you're
the
Christ
did
you
say
you're
the
king
did
you
say
you're
the
son
of
God
the
question
that
they're
asking
is
do
you
believe
Jesus
and
what
does
he
respond
with
you
say
that
I
am
implying
that
I
am
that
I
have
that
I
did
the
question
for
us
this
morning
I
think
is
more
complicated
for
many
than
do
you
believe
in
Jesus
the
demons
believe
in
Jesus
Satan
believes
in
Jesus
if
you
believe
in
Jesus
great
there's
more
historical
evidence
in
Jesus
than
George
Washington
I'm
glad
that
we
believe
in
Jesus
but
do
you
believe
Jesus
do
you
believe
his
very
words
do
you
believe
what
he's
taught
do
you
believe
what
he's
called
us
to
do
you
believe
what
he's
commanded
us
because
Jesus
says
some
crazy
things
Jesus
says
that
he's
been
authorized
to
forgive
sin
but
that
him
and
him
alone
but
that
he
can
forgive
your
sin
and
he
can
forgive
my
sin
and
that's
really
important
because
the
forgiveness
of
sin
is
what
makes
a
relationship
with
God
possible
do
you
believe
him
because
if
you
believe
him
and
what
he
said
and
his
ability
to
forgive
sin
you'll
also
know
that
Jesus
then
calls
us
as
those
who
have
been
forgiven
of
our
sin
to
forgive
others
who
have
sinned
against
us
in
the
way
that
he
has
forgiven
us
do
you
believe
him
do
you
believe
that
he
has
power
over
Satan
Jesus
tells
us
he
has
power
over
Satan
that
this
means
that
in
the
craziness
of
this
world
that
this
world
is
in
his
hand
that
he
is
the
victor
and
that
we're
called
to
live
in
victory
that
we
do
not
live
as
defeated
people
that
we
do
not
live
defeated
because
of
our
circumstances
because
of
this
world
and
those
around
us
that
Jesus
has
executed
will
continue
to
execute
power
over
Satan
and
that
this
world
is
in
our
hands
that
means
is
this
world
we
begin
to
feel
is
spinning
out
of
chaos
and
out
of
control
that
it's
not
that
it's
in
the
hand
of
God
because
it's
in
the
hand
of
Christ
do
you
believe
Jesus
because
Jesus
says
that
he's
the
only
way
to
God
Jesus
is
God
himself
says
that
there's
only
one
way
to
God
and
that
is
through
him
he's
the
only
way
means
by
anything
else
that
you
try
to
add
to
that
you
try
to
help
that
you
try
to
justify
impede
you
from
God
it
isn't
I
believe
in
God
and
I'm
a
good
person
it
just
doesn't
work
that
way
it's
I've
submitted
put my
faith
and hope
in
Jesus
Christ
as my
Lord
and
Savior
and
that
Jesus
demands
our
do you
believe
Jesus
not
in
just
what
you're
ready
for
and
what
I'm
ready
for
or
willing
for
but
that
in
all
areas
of
life
he
demands
our
obedience
and
that's
why
in
order
to
be
his
disciple
he
says
that
we
must
take
up
our
cross
and
follow
him
he
says
that
you
must
die
to
yourself
daily
he
says
that
we
just
don't
give
God
some
of
what
we
have
but
that
all
that
we
have
is
his
and
we
give
it
all
to
him
when
he
asks
he
says
that
no
other
relationship
is
as
important
or
even
compares
is
on
the
scale
with
our
relationship
with
him
he
says
that
his
grace
is
displayed
in
us
is
that
he
is
continuing
to
work
through
us
through
the
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
to
draw
us
to
obedience
and
that
his
grace
is
displayed
and
this
is
progressive
and
happens
over
time
so
we
grow
and
we
walk
in
relationship
with
him
do
you
believe
Jesus
we
can't
just
believe
in
Jesus
and
hope
it
gets
us
there
do
we
believe
in
the
very
word
of
God
of
what
comes
out
of
his
mouth
with
who
he
says
he
is
and
what
he
calls
us
to
the
third
question
who
do
you
choose
who
chose
Barabbas
who
do
you
choose
one
of
the
interesting
ways
that
I
was
taught
in
how
to
read
my
Bible
was
when
I'm
reading
for
my
devotion
time
for
my
quiet
time
and
as
I'm
reading
through
the
different
stories
or
the
different
letters
of
what's
over
there
it's
kind
of
define
the
person
or
the
situation
or
the
instance
in
the
story
that
I
can
identify
with
this
part
that
speaks
to
me
or
I
can
see
myself
in
this
it's
been
an
interesting
way
to
read
through
God's
word
and
when
we
read
this
I
think
the
question
that
for
us
is
who
do
you
identify
with
and
on
surface
level
like
with
the
crowd
and
sitting
here
today
that's
a
pretty
easy
answer
right
Barabbas
Jesus
which
one
do
you
want
well
if
I'm
in
the
crowd
I
want
Jesus
but
I
don't
think
we're
supposed
to
see
ourself
in
the
crowd
I
think
when
we
begin
to
understand
what
is
happening
after
this
mockery
of a
trial
is
over
that
the
choice
isn't
that
we
see
ourself
in
the
crowd
I
think
what
we
see
ourself
in
is
Barabbas
you
see
Barabbas
is
you
Barabbas
is
me
but
before
the
standard
of
God
guilty
Jesus
is
innocent
Barabbas
had a
penalty
that
was
just
for
the
wages
of
sin
is
death
guilty
but
Jesus
had an
unjust
penalty
Barabbas
went
free
Jesus
went
to
the
cross
Barabbas
literally
did
nothing
did
nothing
to
deserve
this
outcome
in
life
but
Jesus
paid
the
price
2nd
Corinthians
5
21
Paul
says
this
for
our
sake
for
our
sake
he
made
him
to
be
sin
who
knew
no
sin
so
that
in
him
we
might
become
the
righteousness
of
God
he
made
him
to
take
on
the
penalty
of
Barabbas
and
Bo
so
that
in
him
we
might
become
the
righteousness
of
God
I
want
you
to
imagine
for
a
moment
that
you
are
Barabbas
and
you're
sitting
in
that
cell
your
trial
has
happened
whether
you
think
you
should
be
killed
or
not
you
know
that
everything
that
they
said
about
you
is
true
and
what
you're
awaiting
is
your
execution
and
then
you
hear
from
outside
crucify
him
crucify
him
crucify
him
and
then
you
hear
the
door
open
and
you
begin
to
think
it's
time
begin
to
put
yourself
gotta
walk
gotta
move
you
understand
what's
about
to
happen
you
understand
what's
about
to
take
place
and
a
Roman
soldier
comes
and
grabs
you
and
as
you
walk
out
you
set
free
and
you
look
over
and
they're
leading
a man
to
your
prison
cell
that's
what
Jesus
did
for
you
that's
what
Jesus
did
for
me
one
last
question
why
didn't
Jesus
stop
this
why
did
this
great
injustice
take
place
he
could
have
performed
a
miracle
he
could
have
called
on
angels
he
could
have
taught
on
scripture
he
could
have
proved
himself
but
he
just
stood
there
he
just
stood
there
why
because
this
because
God's
wrath
has to
be
satisfied
and for
your sin
and my
sin
a penalty
must
be
paid
and
Jesus
says
I'll
take
it
I'll
take
it
his
body
will be
tortured
his
body
will be
nailed
to a
cross
and hung
there to
die
he'll be
shoved
with a
crown of
thorns
on his
head
he'll be
beaten to
the point
of death
he will
be stripped
of his
clothing
he'll be
mocked
and he'll
be
belittled
to pay
the penalty
and the
price that
you and
I deserve
the bread
and the
body of
Christ
his blood
will be
spilled
but what's
dirty
and morbid
about that
event that
will take
place on
the cross
but that
through the
very blood
of Christ
a new
covenant
will be
made
that this
blood
actually makes
us clean
that it
washes away
our sin
and just
as Paul
taught
in 2nd
Corinthians
that a
great
exchange
takes
place
that
Christ
takes
on
our
sin
and he
gives us
his
righteousness
so that
when God
looks at
me
and what
God
looks at
you
is
Jesus
it's
a story
you've
heard
before
it's
a story
that you've
heard
time and
time again
but as
Jesus
stood there
silently
may we
never
forget
that there
was a
bunch of
Barabbases
and
because
he
was led
to his
crucifixion
for all
who put
their faith
their hope
and their
trust in
him
we've
been
set
free
in just a
moment
we'll go
into a
time of
response
our
prayer
encourages
to be
on either
side of
our
auditorium
I pray
that you
during this
time
begin to
examine
your
heart
are you
the
Sanhedrin
standing
before your
religious works
and your
religious acts
are you
the crowd
choosing
anything
and
everything
over
Jesus
or
are you
Barabbas
someone who
needs to put
their faith
their hope
and their
trust in
him
or are you
the new
the righteousness
of God
who has
whatever
decision that
you have
today
I pray
for you
today
that you
would find
your
savior
in Jesus
that you
would see
the beauty
of what
he's done
in the
horrific events
that will
take place
so that you
and I
may find
life
and life
everlasting
would you
use this
time of
reflection
to examine
your heart
and your
preparedness
to take
the Lord's
supper
if you
need
to
begin
a
relationship
with
Christ
may
you
profess
him
as
Lord
and
Savior
admitting
that
you're
a
sinner
believing
not just
in
Jesus
but
believing
Jesus
of what
he did
of what
he said
and what
he promises
to do
confessing
him
as Lord
and Savior
of your
life
would you
pray with
me
God I
thank you
I
thank you
that this
injustice
took place
because what
would it
have looked
like
if Jesus
walked
away
but instead
he walked
to the
cross
to take
on the
penalty
that I
that we
deserve
God may
we use
this time
of worship
and reflection
of you
thanking you
that you
move us
through the
work of
Christ
from
enemies
from
objects
of
wrath
into
sons and
daughters
of the
living
God
that you
take
what was
dirty
what was
dead
what was
repulsive
what was
sinful
and you
make it
good
and clean
and new
and alive
again
God may
the story
that unfolds
before us
not be
another story
that we've
heard time
and time
again
but may
it be
the life
changing
story
of freedom
that comes
in Christ
and Christ
alone
where he
did
not just
what we
weren't
willing to
do
but what
we were
incapable
of doing
as he
died on
the cross
for the
forgiveness
of sins
for all
who put
their faith
and hope
in him
and God
we thank you
for the end
of the story
we thank you
for that first
Easter morning
that today
just as it
was then
that the tomb
is empty
that life
is possible
that joy
is real
and that we
have a hope
for a future
and for our
eternity
with you
made possible
through Christ
and Christ
alone
what if there's
anyone here
who does not
know Jesus
Christ as
their Lord
and Savior
my prayer
is that
today
they will
put their
faith
their hope
and their
trust
in him
and God
for those
of us
who have
may we
worship you
as forgiven
redeemed
liberated
alive sons
and daughters
of God
and it's in
Jesus name
we pray
amen
that's it
for this
week's
message
be sure
to check
back next
week for a
new episode
and in the
meantime
you can
visit us
online at
willowridgechurch.org
or by searching
for Willow Ridge
Church on
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thanks again
for listening