Podcast Summary

Podcast: 2819 Church
Episode: CROSS TO COMMISSION | Choose Christ | Matthew 27:15-26 | Philip Anthony Mitchell
Date: January 19, 2026
Speaker: Philip Anthony Mitchell

Episode Overview

This episode is part of the Cross to Commission series, focusing on Matthew 27:15-26—the pivotal moment in Christian history known as the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Philip Anthony Mitchell delivers a passionate, urgent sermon about choosing Christ over rebellion, the meaning of justice and injustice in both human and spiritual realms, and the call to live a surrendered, discerning life in these "last days." Through vivid retelling and direct challenge, Mitchell encourages personal and communal reflection on Jesus’ sacrifice, our response to Him, and the dangers of spiritual complacency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction: Urgency, Spiritual Warfare, and Welcome (00:13-04:19)

• Global and local church identity: The church is described as a "global army" engaged in spiritual battle, undeterred by opposition.
• Call to action: The purpose is to multiply disciples, spread the Gospel, and stand firm despite rising opposition.
• Invitation to skeptics: "You could belong before you believe"—a welcoming word to unbelievers and those wrestling with doubt.

2. Justice, Injustice, and the Human Heart (05:03-09:00)

• Universal sense of justice: Mitchell recounts the innate human longing for justice, referencing biblical stories (Cain and Abel) and modern cases of injustice.
• Personal testimony: The challenge of responding to injustice as the Spirit calls for restraint and trust in God’s vengeance.

"All the while, the Lord forbids you from vengeance or forbids you from fighting back... Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." (07:10, Mitchell)

3. The Trial of Jesus: Historical and Spiritual Significance (09:00-17:28)

• Envy and spiritual blindness: The religious leaders, filled with envy, orchestrate Jesus' death, fulfilling prophecy but motivated by sin.
• Realism of the Gospel accounts: Emphasis that these are not fables but historical events impacting real people—including us.

"If the devil could find a jealous heart, he can make a slanderous mouth." (Preston Perry via Mitchell, 08:05)

4. Pilate, Barabbas, and the Choice (17:28-23:17)

• Pilate’s predicament: Attempting to release Jesus by offering the crowd a notorious criminal (Barabbas), believing the obvious choice would be to free Jesus.
• Barabbas as a symbol: Represents depravity, insurrection, and rebellion—contrasted directly with Jesus, the Son of the Heavenly Father.

"So now you have two sons on trial. A son of the Father on trial, Barabbas, and a son of the Father on trial, Jesus." (17:30, Mitchell)

5. Discernment and Spiritual Leadership (20:18-23:28)

• Biblical literacy and false prophets: False spiritual leaders deceive many due to the church’s lack of scriptural engagement.
• Vital need for discernment: The episode challenges listeners to return to Scripture and constant prayer as sources of truth and spiritual clarity.

"Read, read, read, read, read... because the more truth you have in you, the easier it is to discern a lie." (21:18, Mitchell)

6. Pilate’s Wife and Divine Intervention (26:19-29:00)

• Unexpected defense of Christ: Pilate’s wife (Claudia), a pagan woman, is given a dream warning her husband not to condemn Jesus, ensuring the record of Christ’s innocence.

"Even when people who should fight for you do not, the Lord has a way of vindicating you." (28:07, Mitchell)

7. Sovereignty of God in Suffering and Injustice (29:00-36:27)

• God’s will in the midst of evil: Even betrayal, interruptions, and crowds manipulated by leaders serve God’s ultimate purpose.
• Personal application: Believers are encouraged to view their own hardships through this lens.

"All things, not just good things... all things, good things and bad things, they work together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose." (32:14, paraphrasing Romans 8:28)

8. Barabbas or Jesus: The Daily Choice (48:10-50:55)

• Symbolic identification: Every believer is Barabbas, set free by Jesus’ sacrifice.
• The challenge: Daily life presents ongoing choices between Christ (life/obedience) and Barabbas (rebellion/sin).

"Every day you're choosing between life or rebellion, between Christ or his enemy... God help you, I pray that something will click on the inside of you." (48:55, 49:27, Mitchell)

9. Personal Surrender and Prayer for Revival (51:55-54:21)

• Altar call and heart search: Listeners are urged to fully surrender to Christ, asking for hearts softened, lives transformed.
• Revival and dedication: A heartfelt prayer for widespread spiritual awakening and true discipleship.

"I pray today, Lord, we would fully surrender to you... we would desire Christ more than anything else in this life." (52:12, 53:08, Mitchell)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On discernment:
  "A false prophet would never encourage you to go get truth. They want you to depend on their revelation all the time." (22:15)
• On God’s sovereignty:
  "The persecution against Christ is sovereign. The interruption is sovereign... all of it is sovereign." (32:01)
• On Barabbas as us:
  "In a sense, all of us who are saved? We are Barabbas. We walked out of the sentence of death... the Lord took his place on that cross the same way he took your place." (48:17-48:55)
• On the daily choice:
  "I’m going to make a daily decision to choose Christ... and when I make the wrong choice by accident, I'm going to get back up, repent, and choose Christ again and again and again." (49:34-50:03)

Important Timestamps

• Welcome and family identity: 00:13 - 02:09
• Biblical justice & injustice: 05:03 - 08:12
• Religious envy leads to Christ's crucifixion: 09:00 - 11:51
• Pilate’s dilemma and Barabbas presented: 17:28 - 19:50
• Call for discernment and warnings about false prophets: 20:18 - 23:45
• Pilate’s wife’s intervention: 26:19 - 28:07
• Sovereignty and suffering: 31:56 - 35:39
• Daily choice between Christ and rebellion: 48:10 - 50:55
• Altar moment & prayer for revival: 51:55 - 54:21

Tone & Atmosphere

Mitchell's delivery is urgent, compassionate, unflinching, and deeply scriptural. He intersperses challenging calls to action with personal vulnerability, prophetic warnings, contemporary analogies, and moments of passionate exhortation.

Conclusion

This episode is a clarion call to personal and corporate awakening, a warning against spiritual complacency, and a moving reminder of what Christ endured so we might be free. Each listener is left with the unescapable question:
What will you do with Jesus, who is called Christ?