Interrupted
Matthew 27:11-32
Chris Seidman
Part of The Gospel of Matthew—King & Kingdom
April 1, 2022

The Gospel of Matthew — King & Kingdom

Interrupted
April 3, 2022
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch Church


Matthew 27:11-18 (NIV)
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor.

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas.

So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew that it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.


Matthew 27:19 (NIV)
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”


Matthew 27:20-26 (NIV)
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

All the people answered, “His blood is on us and our children!”

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Pilate’s Interruption Takeaway

  • Choosing Jesus eventually involves confronting our own self-interest.


Mark 15:15 (NIV)
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate … handed him (Jesus) over to be crucified.


Luke 23:23-24 (NIV)
But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand.


Jim Elliot, Missionary
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.

Barabbas’ Interruption Takeaway

  • We’re not freed because we’re innocent. We’re freed because Jesus took our place.


Matthew 27:32 (NIV)
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Simon’s Interruption Takeaway

  • Sometimes what we consider a curse can, in reality, be a blessing if it draws us closer to Jesus.


Mark 15:21 (NIV)
A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Communion

  • Which interruption speaks to you most right now – Pilate’s, Barabbas’, or Simon’s?

  • What might the Spirit of God be saying to you right now?