Welcome to the Voo Church podcast. In today's message, cross-examined, Pastor Rich Wilkerson

Jr. unpacks the crux of our faith, the cross of Jesus Christ. More than a moment in history,

the cross is crucial to our everyday walk. New life begins at the cross. Join us for Easter at Voo.

Learn more at Voochurch.com slash Easter. It's time to examine the cross and let the

cross examine us. Matthew 27, we're to start in verse 15. This is the reading of God's word.

Matthew 27, verses 15 through 26. 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 it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

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.

How do y'all know? Listen to your wife. 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 was called the Messiah? Pilot asked. They all answered,

crucify him. Why? What crime has he committed? asked Pilot. But they shouted all the louder.

Crucify him. When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting,

he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.

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