Word
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. —Mark 15:15
Observation
What a weak man this Pilate was being influenced by a small band of Jews to kill someone!? I mean, he's supposed to be some kind of Roman hard case that does the bidding of Rome, not this little group of people with no ability to hurt him.
Gosh, that seems like the right view, but turn the tables on myself and it's scary how much I've been like Pilate.
Revelation
That phrase, "Wanting to satisfy the crowd" just stings me deep. Even now, in my Christian walk, I've been guilty of this same thing. It seems so easy to criticize Pilate for his actions that day, but the truth of the matter is that I and other Christians alike, wanting to "satisfy the crowd" have denied Christ before men. For whatever reason, whether it was embarrassment, fear of being ostracized, or whatever the case, we've succumbed to peer pressure; so worried about our own self that we don't stop to think that we're flogging Jesus all over again. We're handing him over to be crucified so that we can maintain a certain disposition before our friends, family...our crowd. So many times I've been given the opportunity to release Jesus in me, but instead released the criminal. My loyalty is to God in Heaven, not to a small group of people on this earth. I don't want to be influenced by my surroundings, but instead by the Holy Spirit.
Devotion
I want Jesus to be released in my life, free to do His Will. Lord, help me keep the criminal in shackles, bound up, while Christ goes free to heal the sick through me, mend broken hearts through me, and spread the miraculous Word of His testimony through me. Amen.
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About Me
- Daniel
- I am a contemporary artist working mainly in digital media. Most of my work is for the web, but recently I began delving into new types of art. I am a Christian and so I've put my faith to practice and have been producing print art for homes and offices.
1 comment:
The priests were so threatened by Jesus that they allowed a murderer to go free so they could silence the voice of someone who preached against their lifestyle and the way they preached the word of God.they even had to meet in private and try to conspire ways to incriminate Him. They lied and gave false testimony against Him and they encouraged a whole crowd of people to shout out to have Him crucified after seeing Him do miraculous things right in from of them. It's amazing the lengths that people will go to keep away from condemnation...to keep from having to give up their way of life and their comfort. Lord, I don't want to be part of the crowd...and I definitely don't want to be one of those priests although I know that I have been exactly that in the past. Consume me with You...my thoughts, my desires, my dreams, my very being. Help me to seek Your approval and not be concerned in the least bit about what I want or others think. Amen!!
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