Mark
15:1-15
“Pilate asked
them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’
So Pilate, wishing
to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and
after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.”
(Mark
15:14-15)
The scene is
often played out in old westerns.
Someone is arrested for a crime he hasn’t committed and a crowd, stirred
to action by angry voices, storms the jail.
In many of these old movies, the sheriff stands between the crowd and the
accused, making the courageous decision to protect the rights of the accused.
Jesus had no one
to stand between him and the crowd.
Pilate tried to reason with the angry mob. By this time, however, they had no interest
in justice, demanding instead a murderer’s freedom. What happened next was a tragedy of
expediency. Pilate knew the crimes of
Barabbas and likely the innocence of Jesus, but the NRSV says he released
Barabbas, “…wishing to satisfy the crowd.” Justice gave way to fear as Pilate placated
the angry crowd.
It seems easier
sometimes to give into the crowd instead of doing what is right. I can’t say I haven’t made that same decision
in the heat of the moment. Perhaps you
have done the same.
In the Lenten
journey we confront our own culpability in the crucifixion story. Salvation is offered amidst the angry cries
of the crowd. There is a
choice.
Prayer: Please
forgive me, Lord, for allowing the voices of the crowd to so easily sway me.
Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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