His mind was racing with possibilities and fears. He knew without a doubt what he should do. But he was afraid of the results if he did what was right. He could be hung! He could be stoned! Wouldn't it be easier to go with the flow...? He glanced once again at the crowd and two people in handcuffs. One of the people in handcuffs was completely innocent. The other was a wanted criminal.
Pilate saw no reason to crucify Jesus. John 19:6 says, "As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, 'Crucify! Crucify!' But Pilate answered, 'You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.'" And again, when the crowd insists more and more on the crucifixion of Jesus, Pilate objects. John 19:12 says, "From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, 'If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be the king opposes Caesar.'" Pilate knew the right choice. He may not have believed that Jesus was the Son of God, but he still knew what was right, he had a conscience after all. Is it even a question to ask is right, to release an innocent man, or crucify a criminal? These verses tell us that Pilate was stuck. He knew the right choice, but he didn't have the guts. And he was afraid. Afraid of a rebellion from a huge mob. He had pressure on him, he was the one who decided the fate for these two men. But because he didn't have the guts to do something right, he decided to, instead, be a people pleaser.
Isn't that what we do sometimes? Not to the extent that Pilate did, but we try to 'go with the flow.' Often, we don't want to stand out, we'd prefer to blend in. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." God is telling us not to be conformed or go with the flow. Instead of focusing on pleasing people, we need to focus on 'what God's will is--His good, pleasing, and perfect will.' Being a people pleaser, and being a God pleaser, are completely different. Which one will you chose?
Kayla Joy
