Click here for the sermon discussion questions or see them listed below. We highly encourage you to listen, think, and talk about the sermon. These are questions you can reflect on by yourself, with your family, or with your small group.

Discussion Questions

1. Pilate and Herod both declared Jesus to be innocent, yet Pilate still ordered a beating before releasing Jesus (vs15-16). What then was Pilate's motivation to punish Jesus?

2. Are there aspects in your life where you are compelled to "serve two masters"? What are the dangers of caring too much about the court of public opinion? When have your actions been swayed by someone else’s opinion?  What made that so powerful to you?  Whose approval in your life (outside of God) is most important?

3. The crowd demanded the illogical release of the true criminal, Barabas. What is it that causes this kind of illogical decision making? What are ways that we show this same kind of poor, twisted, and illogical thought process? What are some things you desire in your heart that incline your mind to think in a certain way? Are there some ‘fools gold shine’ that is particularly tempting to you, rather than the glory of Christ?  What are they?

4. In our text, Jesus remained silent. He knew this unjust trial would end with him going to the cross. Knowing that Jesus willingly, lovingly, obediently, silently went to the cross for us - how should this impact the way we live, especially in regard to how we seek to honor and please Him above all else?