Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. (ESV)
Do you need courage to stand up against the crowd?
When you know what is right and you give in to the noise and threats of others, you discover your slackness of character. Here Pilate weighed the consequences and found it politically easier to satisfy the crowd’s desire rather than do what is right. Why trouble yourself over one person’s life he may have thought? Don’t the power players teach you to carefully choose your fights? What do I have to gain if I choose to do what is right in this case? (He probably murmured to himself).
Most likely, many of us have been there where the bully threatens one into submission. Rather than fight for what is right, we roll over and succumb to the more traveled road. Yet in hindsight, we know the best route would have been to stand up and face the evil rather than run from it.
Yes, it takes courage to face our adversaries. When we discover our lack, we shamefully accept the situation without putting up resistance. In the process we also discover a weakness of our humanity and quickly try to cover the matter up rather than expose our shortcomings to the world. The moment of truth has arrived.
Our Triune God knows our weaknesses. If we had the godly character in place, the matter would have been differently handled. But in that moment of truth, we discovered something lacking in ourselves and the real you is exposed.
Life is a learning process preparing you and I for eternity. Moments like this slap us in the face and wake us up to the matter. Either we change or we shall continue to repeat the situation over and over again until the pain becomes unbearable, and our lives become intolerable.
However, when we accept Jesus as Lord, HIS Spirit begins the process of living in you. You slowly take on the characteristics of your Creator. Yes, you were made in the image of God. You were also destined to live life like HE did when he visited planet some 2,000 years ago.
The Holy Spirit wants to fully empower you to reflect the strength and character of Jesus Christ. As you walk along with HIM, you will discover the power of faith, truth, and love. You will become embolden with HIS characteristics. Then one day, you will find yourself in a similar situation and you will boldly stand up to the truth, do what is right, and afterwards marvel at your conduct giving thanks to God. The circumstantial outcome may or may not be the same, but you will be at peace and fully prepared to handle the consequences just like your Teacher, Jesus Christ.
So, if you need courage to stand up against the crowd, you now know where to find it.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Encourager & Author of e-Books
* Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married
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