Text: Matthew 27:15-21.
 

Introduction.
 

The name of Jesus was common in Palestine. 
The writer William Barclay supports the thesis that Pilate was before two men named Jesus.
Matthew 27:17 and 22. “Jesus, called the Christ”. 
The name of Barabbas would be Jesus Barabbas. 
Pilate’s situation: 
 
a) He saw that Jesus was innocent. He said it three times. 
b) He saw that the Jews delivered Jesus because of envy. 
c) His wife had a dream about Jesus.

01. My conviction was just.  
 
Romans 5:12.  
Romans: the “most theological” among Paul’s letters. 
“All have sinned”, including myself. 
Mark 15:7. The history of Barabbas.
He was not a common prisoner. Palestine, when dominated, lived full of rebels. 
Barabbas was guilt. He had to pay for his mistake. 
II Corinthians 5:21 ”... made him to be sin for us”.
“Before dying, still living, Jesus was already saving”. 
Romans 5:6-8. He reached us (weak) in sin and saved us.

02. Jesus was hung on the cross in my place.

That middle cross, on that day, was reserved to Barabbas. 
Isaiah, 700 years before, describes what would take place. Isaiah 53:4-6. 
It was common to release a prisoner during Passover. 
Passover means deliverance. Barabbas did not deserve it, but he is delivered. 
He escaped from the death row. 
We were all in the “spiritual death row”.
Jesus comes and takes our place.

03. I am totally free.

I can’t imagine where Barabbas went. How he celebrated his freedom.
But definitely with his friends. With lots of drinks and food. 
Ephesians 1:7 “...in Him we have redemption…” 
Colossians 1:14. Repeats the same message.
All according to the abundance of God’s grace.

Conclusion.
 

John 19:1-4. 
“....to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him”.
John 19:5. “Here is the man”. 
Pilate means “poor man”, feel sorry for him.
In Greek, the meaning is: Celestial Man, ideal, perfect, and the role model for humanity. 
The cross in the center belonged to Barabbas, to me, to you. Jesus substituted all of us.