11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise. MATTHEW 27:11-14 NLT
JESUS WAS SENTENCED TO THE CROSS SO I COULD BE FREE
15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) MATTHEW 27:15-18 NLT
20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!” 22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” MATTHEW 27:20-22 NLT
JESUS WAS TORTURED BECAUSE I AM HIS TREASURE
26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. 27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. MATTHEW 27:26-31 NLT
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. HEBREWS 12:2-3 NIV (1984)
JESUS WAS ABANDONED SO I COULD BE EMBRACED
45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” MATTHEW 27:45-46 NLT
50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom… MATTHEW 27:50-51 NLT
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. HEBREWS 4:15-16 NIV (1984)
No matter who I am or what I have done, I can approach God because of what Jesus did.
JESUS DISPLAYED HIS POWER SO I COULD FIND MY FAITH
…The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. 54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” MATTHEW 27:51-54 NLT
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18 NLT
My Notes
Discussion Questions
Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:
- START HERE: When you hear the word “sacrifice,” what’s a real-life example that comes to mind? Why has that stuck with you?
- START HERE: Have you ever gone through something difficult or unfair and chosen not to defend yourself? What was that like?
- KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 27:11-26 NLT. Jesus stays silent while being falsely accused. Why do you think He chose not to defend Himself, and what does that show you about His purpose?
- KEEP GOING: Barabbas was set free while Jesus was condemned. In what ways do you see yourself as Barabbas—and how does it personally hit you that Jesus took your place?
- KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 27:26-31 NLT. As you picture what Jesus went through, what do you feel? What does knowing He endured that because you are His treasure mean to you?
- KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 27:45-54 NLT. Jesus was abandoned so you could be embraced by God. What, if anything, keeps you from approaching God with confidence? How does the truth that you’re embraced by God change your perspective?
- LIVE IT OUT: If you live everyday like you believe Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross means you’re fully forgiven, deeply loved, and never alone, what could change this week?
- LIVE IT OUT: Who is someone in your life that’s hurting or struggling? What’s one real, sacrificial step you could take to show them the love of Jesus this week?
