THE CALL OF THE CROWD

"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. "Crucify him!" they shouted. "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:12-15

Pilate was a man that so wanted someone else to take the blame. He did not really care if he was right or wrong, just so no one pointed their finger at him. He had an opportunity to react right, but he refused. Of course, in his cowardly ways, he also confirmed what Scripture had taught. (I find no basis for a charge against this man. Luke 23:4) Jesus was the pure, innocent Son of God who GAVE His life for our sins.

Pilate tried to pass the buck. He wanted the people to decide what should be done with Jesus. But the emotional tide of the people had been stirred up by the Chief Priest and Pharisees in the crowd. The people asked for freedom for Barabbas instead of Jesus. In their unbelief, they chose death for the only ONE who could buy their eternal freedom. In Pilate's refusal to make a decision, the decision was made for him. How tragic that we often do the exact same thing. In our indecisiveness, our analysis paralysis and even in our silence, decision are taken out of our hands. Pilate washed his hands over the situation signifying his lack of blame, but the blood of Jesus didn't wash off that easily.

Pilate gave in to the crowd. He wanted to satisfy the loud voices in the multitudes. Like Pilate, we sometimes ponder at the pool of popularity too long. Just because the voices around us are loud does not make them right. Even if the majority agrees, they just might be wrong. Do you have the courage to stand for what is right even if you stand alone? Never forget that Jesus stands on the side of right. When you stand with Him, you will never stand alone.

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

The Lord and I had a discussion this morning. Actually, He talked and I listened! He brought to my mind and heart so many incidents from the past when He had given me a specific word about a where I should walk with him. He reminded me of His plans for me that I had failed to accomplished because of a heavy dose of fear in my life. I remembered so many times I was kept from God's best for me, due to other's opinions, both spoken and perceived.

Why is it we worry so much more about what others think, rather than what God requires of us. I have jumped through some giant hoops just so I could please people. I could testify of time and time again when I drove myself crazy trying to make everyone happy and in the end no one was, and I was exhausted (and a little mad!)

This morning I committed to get myself free from the things that have entangled me and kept me from walking in God's perfect will for me. I'm still a people-pleaser, but I want to worry less about people and more about God's opinion of me. The only hoops I am jumping through from now on are the ones on God's court!

What about you?