August 11 - Willing To Content.

Mark 15:15
“And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.”
 
In politics there is always an ulterior motive.
We have learned from experience that there are very few people you can trust to do what they say they will do.
 
Pilate marvelled over the silence of Jesus as He was accused of many things by the chief priests. Pilate himself even asked Him why He was silent.
 
He knew there was something different about Jesus.
 
Luke 23:14
“Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:”
 
So, Pilate devised a plan to save his career by giving the people a choice of who he should release at the feast.
 
He found Barabbas, who was guilty of insurrection and murder. 
Surely the people would choose to free Jesus instead of such a wicked man.
 
Yet, his plan backfired. 
The chief priests moved the people to choose to release Barabbas.
 
Mark 15:12-13
“And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him.”
 
Pilate was dumbfounded. 
 
Mark 15:14
“Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.”
 
He had to choose. 
The ball was in his court. It was up to him to decide the fate of Jesus.
 
Pilate was willing to content the people, so he compromised what he knew in his heart was right.
 
He chose popularity and politics over the Truth.
How many times in our lives have we been presented with the same decision? 
 
Choosing to stand for the Truth is never popular or easy.
Choosing right over wrong seems to be a rarity today. 
 
Are we willing to content the people around us rather than stand on the Lord’s side?
 
Oftentimes, we are no better than Pilate. 
 
Day after day we are left with the same choice… Him or people.
Choose Jesus.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 3-4   |    1 Peter 2