“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:15).
The context of the verse is the “trial” of Jesus before Pilate.
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. There was not a doubt in his mind. Pilate absolutely knew Jesus was innocent. Not only was Pilate certain Jesus was innocent, Pilate knew that the accusers of Jesus were out to get Jesus out of self-interest. Pilate knew this was a mockery of justice.
- Pilate wanted to release Jesus because he knew “it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him” (Mark 15:10).
- When the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas – an insurrectionist and a murderer – instead of Jesus Pilate asks the crowd, “What crime has Jesus committed?” (Mark 15:14).
So what did Pilate do?
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15).
When the motivation is to satisfy the crowd rather than doing what is right, justice and truth will always be trampled.
The truth of God is not always popular. But it is always right.
The teachings of God may sometimes be difficult. But it is always right.
We may not like what the Bible has to say. But it is always right.
The Bible is the only rule of faith for the Christian.
Christian, we do not base our decisions on what I feel, what I think. As followers of Jesus, the standard which rules our lives is always “What does the Bible say?”
Living for the approval of people will keep us from the will of God.
Seek God’s truth. Seek God’s word.
Praxis: Faith in Action 