𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗕𝗔𝗦 𝗢𝗥 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦? — 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘

BARABBAS OR JESUS? — THE GREAT EXCHANGE

Rightly Dividing the Sinner Saved from the Saviour Slain
Key Text: Matthew 27:21–22 (KJV)
“Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.”

INTRODUCTION

Barabbas is not just a man in Scripture—
Barabbas is a picture of us.

In one of the clearest illustrations of substitution in the Bible, a guilty criminal walks free while the sinless Son of God takes his place.

In this Dispensation of Grace, the Apostle Paul reveals what that moment truly meant:
Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).

Today we will see 9 RIGHTLY DIVIDED TRUTHS showing how Barabbas represents the sinner—and Jesus represents the Saviour.

CONDITION — GUILTY vs GUILTLESS
Luke 23:19; 1 Peter 2:22 (KJV)

A. Criminal Condemned – Barabbas was lawless
B. Christ Clean – No sin found in Him
C. Contrast Clear – One deserved death, One did not
Dispensational Insight:
Salvation begins with recognizing our guilt and His innocence.

CHARACTER — REBEL vs RIGHTEOUS
Mark 15:7; Romans 3:10 (KJV)

A. Insurrectionist – Barabbas rebelled against authority
B. Righteous One – Christ obeyed the Father
C. Fallen vs Faithful – Adam’s nature vs God’s Son
Pauline Truth:
Christ did what Adam—and all men—failed to do.

CHOICE — CROWD vs CHRIST
John 18:40; Galatians 1:4 (KJV)

A. People’s Preference – The crowd chose Barabbas
B. Christ Rejected – Light refused for darkness
C. Human Nature – Man prefers sin over salvation
Warning:
The natural man always rejects grace without revelation.

CONDEMNATION — DESERVED vs DENIED
Romans 6:23; John 19:6 (KJV)

A. Death Earned – Barabbas deserved judgment
B. Death Demanded – Christ condemned unjustly
C. Justice Reversed – The guilty freed, the innocent slain
Grace Picture:
This is substitution in its clearest form.

CHAINS — BROKEN vs BORNE
Luke 23:25; Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

A. Barabbas Unbound – Chains removed
B. Christ Bound – Took stripes willingly
C. Exchange Made – Freedom purchased by suffering
Pauline Doctrine:
Christ bore what we deserved so we could receive what He deserved.

CROSS — ESCAPED vs EMBRACED
Matthew 27:26; Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

A. Cross Avoided – Barabbas walks away
B. Cross Accepted – Christ lays down His life
C. Love Displayed – Voluntary sacrifice
Emphasis:
Christ was not forced—He gave Himself.

CONSEQUENCE — LIFE vs LIBERTY
Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:14 (KJV)

A. Physical Life Preserved – Barabbas lived
B. Eternal Liberty Provided – Christ redeems
C. Grace Extended – Love shown to sinners
Dispensational Truth:
Grace flows from substitution.

CALLING — EARTHLY vs ETERNAL
2 Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 3:20 (KJV)

A. Barabbas Returned to the World – No record of change
B. Christ Raised to Glory – Eternal reign
C. Different Outcomes – Temporal vs eternal
Pauline Application:
Salvation is not just escape—it is transformation.

CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER — US vs HIM
2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:5 (KJV)

A. We Are Barabbas – Guilty sinners
B. He Is Christ – Righteous Substitute
C. Faith Required – Believe the exchange
Final Truth:
Every sinner must choose—Barabbas or Jesus.

CONCLUSION

Barabbas walked free once.
Believers are free forever.
Barabbas escaped death temporarily.
Christ defeated death eternally.
This is the gospel:
The guilty released
The innocent crucified

CALL TO ACTION

STOP trusting self
BELIEVE the gospel
UNDERSTAND substitution
RECEIVE grace
Jesus took your place.
Will you take His gift?

FINAL THOUGHTS

You were Barabbas.
Christ was crucified.
Grace was displayed.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust…”
— 1 Peter 3:18 (KJV)