Pontius Pilate's great sin was in placing Jesus on the same ballot with Barabbas and then allowing the people to cast their vote. The mob in Pilate's judgment hall choosing of Barabbas is important because it exemplifies the utter depravity of the human will. In this account, we are confronted with one of the most hideous of revelations of human depravity in all of Scripture. Man shows what he truly is apart from the grace of God, when in the voice of that mob, collectively man cries out “Crucify Him … and release to us Barabbas.” For one brief period in the history of the world, man the creature is given the opportunity to dispose of the incarnate God according to the true state and desire of his collective heart.
Mankind when given the opportunity to vote for the manner of his redemption, will always opt for a self-redemption by means of human power over redemption through grace by way of humiliation. It is therefore our responsibility to present the gospel in such a way that it is not received as just another self-help method. Yet much of the church today presents Jesus to unbelievers in much the same way that Pilate presents Jesus to the mob in the judgment hall. The problem is, the 'free-will' of man will always choose that which is self-seeking and self-atoning.
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“ Response to Charles froM India ” Dear Brother,
First, I thank you for your observation concerning the sermon on Jesus and Barabbas. I am in complete agreement with you as to the purpose of John's Gospel - and it not being allegorical. Realize, however, that it was not my intention to suggest anything allegorical in the sermon at all. Rather the crowds' choice of Barabbas over Jesus is a perfect illustration of the truth that the will of man will always choose Barabbas, when given the opportunity to choose between a self-salvation and monergistic salvation. I did not mean to suggest that this account was in any way allegorical, but rather illustrative of this truth about human nature.
Thank you for listening!
Charles (8/2/2009)
from india
“ purpose of Gospels ” Apostle John said these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.(John 20:31)
Though the example and discription of sermon is Good, i dont think its right thing to use the Gospel as allogery
Patrick (6/15/2007)
“ Timely Message ” Thank you, Rev LoSardo, for this timely and vital message on the true nature of mankind, and of that great salvation wherewith He hath saved us.
If anyone just casually skimming this website who may have heard it said in "Christian" churches that God loves you just the way you are, please listen to this sermon.
Luc Aube (6/15/2007)
“ Excellent teaching! ” Excellent, thorough teaching. While not stating it directly, this sermon is really about the Doctrine of Election. When given the "free will" to choose God or the robber-murderer Barabbas, Man left to himself will always choose anything but God. And so... praise God for sovereign Grace!
A native of New York, Pastor LoSardo was saved by the grace of God in 1986 after hearing the Gospel from his brother, while pursuing a career in scientific research. He was ordained into the ministry in 1995 and served as the Associate Pastor of a large messianic congregation...
