Word@Work 195 - Mark 15:12-15
Published: Tue, 08/26/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 15:12-15 "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. "Crucify him!" they shouted. "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (NIV)
From anxiety to desperation: Pilate's voice may have reached a higher pitch as the trap closed around him. Instead of issuing a right verdict, he thrashes around like a fish in a net and offers himself to the judgement of the crowd; and of all history. Of course, the discussion about Barabbas was a ploy to avoid the real subject, Jesus. Now the crowd disturbance, that Pilate feared, was about to erupt. All questions about evidence and law were thrown away. The mob was demanding the death sentence on Jesus; and Pilate's career was in serious danger if he refused their demand.
"Wanting to satisfy the crowd", is a pathetic legal reason for authorising a man to be flogged and hung. 'Anything for a quiet life' is never a wise decision style. And for Pilate, it was to prove a disaster. It was no honest judicial mistake, (although paradoxically, 'Barabbas' means 'the son of the father' ... one was set free and the other killed ... but it was the wrong way around), For ever after, history (and the creeds) would announce that Jesus died 'under the authority of Pontius Pilate'. Personally, that decision started the countdown to Pilate's recall to Rome three years later: his power gone.
Pilate's crime against truth and justice was monumental. The event is unique, and there are no adequate comparisons. But because the error was so blatant, it provides a very clear perspective on the lesser decisions we make in work and the community. If Pilate had loved or honoured Jesus, the bizarre decision would not have been made. No decision is simply intellectual or pragmatic: we do, what we do, because of who we love. So if our loving is Godly, our choices will follow. Something to think about, isn't it?
Prayer: Dear Lord. I know that I need to love You first, with all of my heart, mind and strength. Please help me to respond in love to all You have done for me (even taking the cross instead of me), in such a way that my daily choices may be in line with Your truth; and my big decisions radiating my devotion to You. For Your Sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
From anxiety to desperation: Pilate's voice may have reached a higher pitch as the trap closed around him. Instead of issuing a right verdict, he thrashes around like a fish in a net and offers himself to the judgement of the crowd; and of all history. Of course, the discussion about Barabbas was a ploy to avoid the real subject, Jesus. Now the crowd disturbance, that Pilate feared, was about to erupt. All questions about evidence and law were thrown away. The mob was demanding the death sentence on Jesus; and Pilate's career was in serious danger if he refused their demand.
"Wanting to satisfy the crowd", is a pathetic legal reason for authorising a man to be flogged and hung. 'Anything for a quiet life' is never a wise decision style. And for Pilate, it was to prove a disaster. It was no honest judicial mistake, (although paradoxically, 'Barabbas' means 'the son of the father' ... one was set free and the other killed ... but it was the wrong way around), For ever after, history (and the creeds) would announce that Jesus died 'under the authority of Pontius Pilate'. Personally, that decision started the countdown to Pilate's recall to Rome three years later: his power gone.
Pilate's crime against truth and justice was monumental. The event is unique, and there are no adequate comparisons. But because the error was so blatant, it provides a very clear perspective on the lesser decisions we make in work and the community. If Pilate had loved or honoured Jesus, the bizarre decision would not have been made. No decision is simply intellectual or pragmatic: we do, what we do, because of who we love. So if our loving is Godly, our choices will follow. Something to think about, isn't it?
Prayer: Dear Lord. I know that I need to love You first, with all of my heart, mind and strength. Please help me to respond in love to all You have done for me (even taking the cross instead of me), in such a way that my daily choices may be in line with Your truth; and my big decisions radiating my devotion to You. For Your Sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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