Have you ever been a substitute? A substitute is “a person or thing acting or serving in place of another.” Here is the example that was given: “soy milk is used as a substitute for dairy milk.” I agree with the definition, but I heartily disagree with the example. I tried substitute teaching once. (I think I would rather drink soy milk!) We are going to talk about THE SUBSTITUTE, the ONLY substitute today. Look with me to John chapter 18. Review of events of vv. 28-34. Jesus has been taken before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. Annas “sent him bound unto Caiaphas.” Matthew 26:57-65 gives us an account of His mock trial before the kangaroo court of the scribes and pharisees. Then in vv. 66-67 Jesus is given the death sentence and then mocked and abused. As Hebrews 12:3 reminds us, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Then, Caiaphas sent Jesus from his presence to Pilate’s judgment hall. Pilate sent Him to Herod (who simply wanted to see Jesus, hoping He would perform a miracle before him). That’s the only reason some people care about Jesus - for what He can do for them. Then Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, and now we see Him before the Roman governor. In Vs. 36, in answer to Pilate’s question, “Art thou the King of the Jews,” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world . . . then would my servants fight . . . ” In Matthew 13:24-30 we have the parable of the tares. In vv. 37-43 Jesus gives us the interpretation of the parable. The field is the world. The good seed is the children of the kingdom. The tares are children of the wicked one. The enemy is the devil, Satan. The harvest is end of the age (world). And, the master of the house said of the wheat and the tares, “Let both grow together until the harvest . . . ” In that parable Jesus teaches us that there will be a time of separation of the righteous from the unrighteous, and we do not have to seek to advance His kingdom by violence. We understand that the kingdom of God is not advanced by violence. Some have imagined that violence is the way to promote His kingdom. During the Dark Ages, when 50 million Anabaptists were put to death. Some today kill in Christ’s name, blow up abortion clinics, murder abortion doctors. Others kill in the name of “allah,” their god. But Christ’s kingdom is not of this world! Then, Jesus revealed His purpose for coming into the world the first time - “that I should bear witness unto the truth” (vs. 37). Pilate asked the question so many ask today, “What is truth?” Man has many different answers to this question, but simply stated, Jesus is truth. The Word of God is truth. Jesus is the embodiment of truth -- John 14:6. As to His essence and character. (Because He is God, He is all truth and all truthful.) As to His teaching and example. (He taught God’s Word -- John 17:17). As to His death, burial, and resurrection (which showed His deity and man’s lost condition and need of a Savior). He told Pilate (vs. 37) that everyone that is of the truth hears Him. He revealed the lost condition of the religious people (Jews) who rejected Him. He revealed Pilate’s own lost condition. Pilate is like so many today. He had the truth of God standing in front of him, and he could not (or would not) see it. Then, vv. 38-40 bring us to the bulk of the message. Pilate, again like so many, sought to avoid the question which he asked in Matthew 27:22, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” Instead of choosing Jesus, he relied upon the custom of the Jews and his judgment of men to settle the issue. So in vs. 39 he asked, “But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?” Matthew 27:16 tells us, “And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.” Remember, Matthew 27:18 tells us that Pilate “knew that for envy they had delivered him.” As a Roman governor Pilate had, no doubt, judged men’s motives many times, but on this occasion he grossly under estimated the evil that is in the hearts of those who do not know Christ. Of course, we know that the people, stirred by the religious leaders of the day, asked for Barabbas to be released to them. Even in this we are provided with a beautiful picture of the substitutionary death of Jesus. First, we want to look at . . .

I. THE STANDING OF BARABBAS.

II. THE SUBSTITUTE FOR BARABBAS.