WEBVTT 00:00:00.479 --> 00:00:05.200 Hi, I'm Pastor Creighton, and thank you for tuning into Newsong Churches Podcast. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:16.079 We're a biblically faithful, gospel-centered Anglican church in Port Perry, Ontario, proclaiming the true and life-giving word of Jesus as we love and serve our neighbors. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:20.160 You can learn more about us at newsongportperry.ca. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:24.160 May God bless you today through his life-giving word. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:29.839 The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew. 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:42.479 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, Sit here while I go over there and pray. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:51.520 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:58.079 Then he said to them, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:01.280 Remain here and watch with me. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:12.640 And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, My father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:16.959 Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:21.439 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. 00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:27.120 And he said to Peter, So could you not watch with me one hour? 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:31.840 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. 00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:36.000 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:40.000 Again for the second time he went away and prayed. 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:53.200 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:02:00.000 So leaving them again he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:06.159 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, Sleep and take your rest later on. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:12.400 See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:14.560 Rise, let us be going. 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:17.439 See, my betrayer is at hand. 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:28.800 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 00:02:29.280 --> 00:02:35.120 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The one I will kiss is the man. 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:36.479 Seize him. 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:41.840 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, Greetings, Rabbi. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:43.599 And he kissed him. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:49.280 And Jesus said to him, Friend, do what you came to do. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:53.520 Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 00:02:54.159 --> 00:03:03.759 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:12.960 Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:19.919 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:24.560 But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so? 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:34.800 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out against us against a robber with swords and clubs to capture me? 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:40.719 Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:46.479 But all this has taken place that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:50.159 Then all the disciples left him and fled. 00:03:51.520 --> 00:04:07.199 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered, and Peter was following at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:18.560 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:28.959 At last two came forward and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:34.079 And the high priest stood up and said, Have you no answer to make? 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:37.759 What is it that these men testify against you? 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:40.160 But Jesus remained silent. 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:48.639 And the high priest said to him, I injure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. 00:04:48.959 --> 00:05:00.879 Jesus said to him, You have said so, but I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man, seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven. 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:07.199 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, He has uttered blasphemy. 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:09.759 What further witnesses do we need? 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:12.480 You have now heard his blasphemy. 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.160 What is your judgment? 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:17.839 They answered, He deserves death. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:21.839 Then they spit in his face and struck him. 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:29.279 And some slapped him, saying, Prophesy to us, you Christ, who is it that struck you? 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:39.040 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him and said, You also were with Jesus the Galilean. 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:44.000 But he denied it before them all, saying, I do not know what you mean. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:52.319 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:54.720 And again he denied it with an oath. 00:05:55.040 --> 00:05:56.399 I do not know the man. 00:05:56.720 --> 00:06:05.519 And after a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, Certainly you two are one of them for your acts that betrays you. 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:09.279 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear. 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:14.560 And immediately the rooster crowed. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:17.360 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus. 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:27.120 And he went out and wept bitterly. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:35.279 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:40.959 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate, the governor. 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:55.920 Then, when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and to the elders, saying, I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:58.800 They said, What is that to us? 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:00.480 See to it yourself. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:08.480 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:18.160 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money. 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:24.560 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:29.279 Therefore that field has been called the field of blood to this day. 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:44.959 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, And they took thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for a potter's field, as the Lord directed me. 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:52.319 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, Are you the king of the Jews? 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:55.199 Jesus said, You have said so. 00:07:55.920 --> 00:08:01.360 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:07.839 Then Pilate said to him, Do you not hear how many things they testify against you? 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:16.000 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:27.120 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted, and they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:36.080 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to release for you, Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ? 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:39.759 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:51.279 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:58.080 Now the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:03.519 The governor again said to them, Which of the two do you want me to release for you? 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:05.840 And they said, Barabbas. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:11.200 Pilate said to them, Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:15.039 And they all said, Let him be crucified. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:16.799 And he said, Why? 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:18.480 What evil has he done? 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:22.399 But they shouted all the more, Let him be crucified. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:35.759 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, I am innocent of this man's blood. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.679 See to it yourselves. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:43.200 And all the people answered, His blood be on us and on our children. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:50.639 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:10:16.879 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him, and they stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand, and kneeling before them, they mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! They spit on him. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:20.000 And they took the reed and struck him on the head. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:28.399 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:34.080 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:38.159 They compelled this man to carry his cross. 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:48.159 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means place of the skull. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:55.360 But when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 00:10:55.759 --> 00:11:00.639 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:04.399 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:15.039 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:21.679 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:32.799 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself. 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:37.200 If you are the Son of God, come down from that cross. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:43.759 So also the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him, saying, He saved others. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.679 He cannot save himself. 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:47.600 He is the King of Israel. 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:51.840 Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:54.000 He trusts in God. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:57.759 Let God deliver him now, if he desires him. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.720 For he said, I am the Son of God. 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:06.720 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:12.879 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:22.240 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Ili Shabakhtani. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:30.159 That is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:36.080 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, This man is calling Elijah. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:44.960 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with soured wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:51.360 But the other said, Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:58.720 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:32.879 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks were split, the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:46.480 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, Truly, this was the Son of God. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:14:04.159 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:13.120 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:17.440 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:21.200 Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:32.320 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:37.679 And he rolled the great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:42.399 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:58.720 The next day, that is, after the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, Sir, we remember how that imposter said while he was still alive, After three days I will rise. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:13.759 Therefore, order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people he is risen from the dead, and the last fraud will be worse than the first. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:17.600 Pilate said to them, You have a guard of soldiers. 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:20.960 Go, make it as secure as you can. 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:27.679 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:35.120 Things don't always work out the way you planned. 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.519 You tried your best. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:38.480 Sure. 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:40.080 Some hate you for it. 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:42.320 They call you notorious. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:48.399 But what they don't realize is that you've dedicated your life to the ideal of freedom. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:50.080 Their freedom. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:54.000 You've sacrificed everything for it. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:56.320 You've stolen for it. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:58.720 You've killed for it. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:08.879 You've done everything you can just to win one small victory after another against a brutal foreign occupier. 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:16.080 Until the people can rise up and restore sovereignty to this once great nation. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:19.440 And surely that's what God wants, isn't it? 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:24.000 Surely that justifies all the blood on your hands. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.879 But you are outwitted. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:29.840 Outnumbered and outplayed. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:38.240 And rather than taking your life there, and then the soldiers decided it's better to make a public example of you and your friends. 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:42.320 So there you sit in your jail cell. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:53.200 Thinking about all the things you wish you hadn't done, and plotting your next move while they prepare three crosses for you and for your friends' execution. 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:58.879 A crowd gathers outside, maybe 50 yards away. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.639 They want something. 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:02.240 And they're angry. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.880 You turn towards the window. 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:10.640 You can hear the voice of Pilate, that tyrant governor, who sentenced you to death. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.799 He's addressing the crowd. 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:16.400 But you can't quite make out what he's saying over all the commotion. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:19.039 The crowd. 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:21.599 The crowd is like thunder. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:28.720 And you feel struck as if by lightning when you hear them shout to Pilate, Barabbas. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.680 That's your name. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:34.160 It's your blood they want. 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.839 Or is it? 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:38.880 A cold sweat breaks out. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.640 No, it's too soon. 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:44.799 Pilate is shouting back to the crowd, but you can't make out what he's saying. 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:46.640 Why won't they quiet down? 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.160 What do they want? 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:54.400 And that's when you hear the crowd shout, Let him be crucified. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:59.119 And again, let him be crucified. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.680 This is it. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:04.000 No fighting back. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.440 No escape. 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:09.839 You've tried your best, and you failed. 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:13.920 And now you will pay the ultimate price. 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:20.880 You will be put to death in the most gruesome, most merciless way imaginable. 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:29.200 It's so horrendous that the soldiers themselves won't even use the word crucifixion. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:32.799 The long, crushing march. 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.640 The mocking. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.240 The spitting. 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:40.559 Nails driven through ankles and wrists. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:43.839 The scraping of iron on bone. 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:48.640 The slow suffocation on display. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:51.279 For the jeering world to see. 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:54.319 That's what's gonna happen to you. 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:57.599 You're going to be crucified. 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:03.519 It doesn't take long for the jailer and his soldiers to appear at the door of your cell. 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.880 Do you resist? 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.559 Do you try to run? 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:08.079 It's no use. 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:11.200 Follow us, you're told. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.720 And so you do. 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:17.839 Shoulders held high to hide the fact that your stomach is sinking. 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:21.680 You're out the front door for the last time. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:26.480 You look at the city, and you think of the glory that could have been. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:33.359 That's when the jailer unlocks your chains and bonds before he says, you're free to go. 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:36.160 At first you don't believe him. 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:38.720 What kind of cruel game is this? 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:41.920 And then you remember, this is Passover. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:45.839 Pilate made a habit of releasing a prisoner on Passover. 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:50.640 It placated the people, threw them a bone, kept them agreeable. 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:54.000 But it saved your life. 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:56.480 Your mind races. 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:59.440 Pilate, the crowd. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:01.200 The cross. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:07.359 You turn to the jailer and ask, but who then will be crucified? 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:10.160 And that's when you hear his name. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.680 Jesus. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:20.160 That Barabbas appears at all in our gospel readings seems like a curious thing to me. 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:28.000 Despite inspiring a classic film of the same name, he himself is not a heroic or inspirational character. 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:37.839 He appears out of nowhere, with very few background details, and just as quickly as he's released, he disappears from the narrative. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:44.480 And yet all four gospel authors make reference to him when they tell us the story of the cross. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.440 Why? 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:49.359 What is the significance of Barabbas? 00:20:51.759 --> 00:21:01.920 Perhaps the Gospels provide us with so few details about Barabbas, because they invite us not to look at him, but through him. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.920 Through his eyes. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.599 At Jesus. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:11.839 We don't know if Barabbas made it to Golgotha to witness the cross for himself. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:27.359 Even if the two other crucified prisoners weren't Barabbas' comrades, which they very well could have been, it seems hard to imagine that Barabbas would not feel compelled to see who it is that was crucified instead of him. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:37.440 If Barabbas were to look at Jesus on the cross, I suspect he would see more clearly than most what is really going on. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:41.680 Jesus is not merely a victim of injustice. 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:48.799 He is the innocent man, suffering in the place of the guilty. 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:54.880 The righteous giving his life to save the unrighteous. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:59.759 Perhaps more than anyone else, in that moment, Barabbas would recognize. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:11.920 Jesus for who he is, his substitute, his redeemer, the one who bears his cross. 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:17.359 Now you and I might not be known as notorious people. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:28.240 You and I might not be criminals or thieves or insurrectionists or murderers, but Scripture makes clear we are rebels of a more fundamental sort. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:41.519 The prophet Daniel puts it this way we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from God's commandments and rules. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:52.000 We know that the world is not as it should be, and despite the good that God wills for his world, there is much also that is wrong with it. 00:22:52.640 --> 00:23:03.599 And perhaps in our more honest moments with ourselves, we might even acknowledge that we ourselves have done wrong to others. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:12.319 We ourselves have perpetuated and participated in wrongdoing when we thought no one was looking. 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:19.440 Or we simply saw wrongdoing and looked the other way for fear of the consequence. 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:28.799 In the court of absolute justice, the Psalmist says, There is no one who does good, not even one. 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:35.839 In the court of God's justice, we are guilty as charged. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:43.599 All have sinned, the Apostle Paul tells us, and the wages of sin is death. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:53.039 But what then should it mean for us who acknowledge our guilt to look at the cross through Barabbas' eyes? 00:23:54.079 --> 00:24:19.759 We too can see Jesus for who he really is, our sin bearer, our substitute, our redeemer, Peter proclaims Jesus Himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that is the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:24.799 By his wounds you have been healed. 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:49.599 Brothers and sisters, as we journey into Holy Week together, my prayer for you and for me is that we would not simply look at the cross as a great example of Jesus' selflishness, which it is, nor simply a great demonstration of his generosity and love, which it also is that. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:25:03.759 But my prayer is that as you look at the cross again this holy week, you, like Barabbas, will see Jesus who dies for you. 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:13.039 You will see Jesus who does not simply bear a cross, but your cross. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:19.839 For it is through his cross that you are truly healed. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:28.640 May you find your confidence and assurance this holy week in Christ your substitute. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:42.000 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly, certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.079 Amen. 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:47.119 We hope that you've been blessed by God's word today. 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:52.799 If you live in the area, we hope that you'll come and worship with us in person on Sunday at 10 a.m. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:56.960 If you'd like to learn more about Newsong Church, we'd love to connect with you. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:26:02.559 Please find our contact information at Newsongportperry.ca and reach out to us. 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:08.960 Newsong's ministry is entirely funded by the generous giving of those who worship and journey with us. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:17.440 If you feel called to support our ministry with a financial gift, please go to newsongportperry.ca giving to make your contribution. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:20.960 Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.