Mark
15:1-15
“Pilate, wishing to satisfy
the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging
Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.”
(Mark 15:15 )
To satisfy the crowd is a challenge indeed. Popular opinion can change in a moment; what
satisfies today may bring a riot tomorrow.
Pilate was surely aware of the buzz around this man Jesus. Perhaps some of his soldiers or advisors had
told him about the celebrated entry of Jesus into the city earlier in the
week. Several days later, Pilate may
have thought the angry crowd was gathered to displace him and establish Jesus as
ruler over Judea . And yet, the man hailed as Messiah on Sunday,
now stood before the Roman Governor as the crowd called for his
crucifixion.
“Why?” Pilate asked no one in particular, “What crime has
he committed?” The crowd could not or
would not answer. Mark says they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him! Crucify
him!” In that moment, Pilate made the expedient choice…he satisfied the
crowd.
This scene continues to play out again and again.
Certainly the characters change and the scenario is not the trial of the Savior
of the world. And yet, whenever truth is
shouted down by the crowd and decisions are made that placate, bringing
destruction to the innocent, couldn’t it be said that Christ is crucified once
more?
Anger, frustration, fear, and doubt are potent political
weapons. The Sanhedrin used them well to
incite the crowd. It could be said the
same is happening today. The problems
and threats we face in our nation and world are real and must be addressed, but
allowing the ever-louder voices of fear, anger, and prejudice to dominate the
discussion makes the expedient choice all the more accessible.
Pilate gave the crowd what they wanted on that early
Friday morning, yet God overcame the expedience of the moment to bring about
deliverance. In the ever-growing angry
voices in our nation and world, may God yet,
overcome.
Prayer: Lord, amidst the angry voices and temptation to
give in to the crowd, may we be still and listen for your voice, and know that
you are God. Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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