THE MOB GOES AGAINST THE INNOCENT/BLAMELESS

THE MOB GOES AGAINST THE INNOCENT/BLAMELESS

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”  But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)  Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”  For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”  But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. —Luke 23:13-25

            Now, here’s an old age tactic… shout louder and persistently until you get your way.  In this Spring of 2024, this is what we are seeing on college campuses. Riotous groups yelling loudly, long and persistently to get their way.  These are not protests, these are bullies.  So it was with the riotous actions of the BLM “protests” as they did the same.  Bullies to what they want to get their way. 

            In this passage, Pilate and Herod had examined the claims of Jesus inciting people to rebellion and they both found no basis for the claim.  Pilate desired to release Jesus.  But the people would not have it.  Instead, they desired an insurrectionist and murderer to be released instead of Jesus.  Pilate appealed to the people one last time, asking “What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty.”  There you have it.  Jesus was found innocent by political leaders.  But the persistent shouts of the mob yelled out for Jesus to be crucified… and their shouts prevailed.  Like many politicians, instead of holding to do the right thing, they cave to the craved crowd to do the wrong thing.  Pilate surrendered an innocent, blameless Jesus to be crucified because of the persistent, evil desires shouted by the mob.

            So it is today, there are those who will cave to the loud and persistent shouting of the mob.  When a mob desires something they are continual in their demands.  They wear out fickle leaders who cave in to their demands.  A small, loud minority of people can often move politicians to grant their desires, even when it goes against the majority of the “common” people.  Politicians often desire to give in to the actions of a mob, lawless as they may be, to “keep the peace.”  But their wrong decisions just lead to more lawlessness.

Dear Father, please help me to stand for Your Truth and proclaim Your Truth in a world that desires insurrectionists and murderers over the innocent and blameless.  May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  Yes, all for Your Honor and glory.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVocf1Z-kZg   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjLlLPZderk