Pleasing the Crowd
They shouted back, “Crucify him!” “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the crowd only roared the louder, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, anxious to please the crowd, released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him. Mark 15:13-15
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Pilate knew that an innocent man stood before him. He knew that the true instigators were the chief priests and that their motivation was envy. He also understood that Barabbas was a convicted, dangerous criminal. Yet he went against his own instincts, his responsibilities as an official, and the facts before him. Pilate sold out, and he knew it. When he handed Jesus over to the guard, Pilate set into motion events that would likely haunt him for the rest of his life. He not only killed an innocent man and endangered the safety of his community, he also betrayed himself. He appeased an angry mob, but he did so at great expense.
Sometimes we hear voices from every corner telling us what we should or should not do. As believers our first priority is to do what is right and to be true to God’s Word. It’s not always easy to take the high road, but it is the road God asks us to travel. Take a moment and ask God to help you to do the right thing. Determine to please him in your job, your decisions, and your relationships no matter what the crowd thinks.
Prayers:
LORD, I want to please you rather than people. That’s not always easy, but you didn’t travel an easy road either. You embraced the Father’s will rather than your own. You shut out the noise of the crowd by finding a place of solitude to seek God. Today I will shut myself in with you, for my heart’s desire is to please you. Help me to do the right thing no matter what the crowd might say.
Quotes:
Whatever else love may ask of us, it does not ask us to be doormats or compulsive pleasers or peace-at-any-price persons. The primary gift of love is the offering of one’s most honest self through one’s most honest self-disclosure.
John Powell
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Numbers 15:17–16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7 and Proverbs 11:5-6.
