The Great Exchange
In John 18:39–40, Pilate offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, and they cry, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” This shocking exchange reveals the depth of human rebellion, the emptiness of worldly mercy, and the sovereignty of God in salvation. Barabbas, the guilty rebel, goes free because the innocent Christ is condemned. In this moment we see the gospel in miniature: the guilty released, the Righteous One punished in their place. IIn this sermon Nathan Tarrant explains how this is the great exchange at the heart of Christianity, Christ for sinners, the Son of the Father for the sons of Adam so that those who were rebels might be adopted as children of God.
