MARK Chapter 15 verses 9 – 11 (NIV)
“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.
Mark Chapter 15 verse 15 (NIV)
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
What struck me most here today was that Pilate was not ignorant of the reasons the chief priests had handed Jesus over to be crucified. He had even remonstrated with the crowd that Jesus had done nothing wrong. He was the Governor and had the necessary power and authority to free Jesus, yet he felt that it was more important to satisfy the crowd, rather than do what He knew to be right.
That’s another sharp reminder to me, given the current volatile political situation which has world wide consequences, of the reason why we are told to pray for those in authority, so that they are led to do what is right rather than what is popular. And that same principle applies to our own decisions when we consider who it is we are trying to please. If we go back to what the verses were yesterday, then in line with the greatest commandment, what God wants always has to come first. It is Him we must always seek to please.
Dear Lord,
May I never act out of self-interest like the Chief Priests, or seek to please others rather than do what’s right, like Pilate. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.