Mark 15:11-14 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
I wonder what it would have been like to be here in this crowd. You know there must have been some people who knew Jesus was innocent, and they were either way outnumbered, or they decided it would be safer to just go along with the crowd.
Often times we find ourselves confronted with a similar choice: stand up for what is right, or go along with the crowd. Luther writes concerning the 8th commandment that "we should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way" Not only are we reminded what we should not do, but we are reminded what we should do. As I read the Bible passage for today and look at the explanation of the 8th commandment, I cannot help but be convicted. How often do I just go along with the crowd? How often do I not defend my neighbor or speak well of him?
Not only did some people in the crowd probably struggle with this, but Pilate did as well. He tried to convince the crowd that what they wanted was not right. But, when the going got tough, he caved. Most of us have good intentions, but I know for me, when the going gets tough, or the rubber hits the road, it is very easy to cave in to the temptation of the crowd.
May God continue to work in each of our lives to stand up for what is right, to defend our neighbor, and to bring glory to His name in all that we do.
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