SCRIPTURE:
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
Mark 15:15
OBSERVATION:
Pilate knew full well that Jesus was innocent. He asked them what they wanted him to do, perhaps in some way hoping they would ask to have him freed. Yet the chief priests “stirred up the crowd” so that Barabbas would be released. The crowd chose a murderer over the Messiah. To satisfy the crowd, Pilate does as they ask.
APPLICATION:
Peer pressure will make the best of us bend like a folding chair. When we don’t know who we are in Christ and the opposition comes, it’s easy to choose “satisfying the crowd” over standing up for what’s right. We give in because capitulation is easier than dealing with the opposition.
Growing up I had some friends who weren’t the best influence over me. I gave in and did what they wanted to do, even though I knew it was wrong. Instead of standing up for what I knew was right, I just went with it. In essence, “wanting to satisfy the crowd,” I did what the majority wanted to do. This almost always landed me in trouble with my parents, teachers or other adults.
After I was saved and truly understood who I was in Christ, it became easier to stand up for what I believed in. It became easier to stand up for what was right instead of trying to impress the people around me:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10
Trying to please man is a losing battle every single time. I need to remember who I am in Christ and stand up for what He is calling me to do, regardless of what others may think or say.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have given in to the crowd. Thank You Lord that You call us to be pleasing to You and not people. May I do my best to satisfy an audience of one, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
