But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. (Mark 15:11-15 NKJV)
Pontius Pilate was a well respected governor serving in Rome during the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. He was the official appointed to preside over Jesus’ trial and gave the orders for Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate’s wife had a dream that revealed to her that Jesus was an innocent man. Even upon Pilate’s own interrogation of Jesus, he found no guilt in Him. However, Pilate could not take a stand and release Jesus though he had the power to do so. Instead he chose to please the people and ignore his own conviction about Jesus.
At times, we allow the voices of the crowd to decide our course of action. Even when we have already come to a conclusion about a matter, we can waver from that place to follow what others are saying. Although Pilate declared himself innocent of the blood that Jesus would shed, his order to crucify Jesus made him to be responsible just as much as those who flogged and nailed him to the cross.
Pilate was not just any man, but as a governor he was an appointed leader. Righteous leaders are those who obey God over men. Pilate demonstrated a leadership that pleased people instead of following the conviction he had of Jesus through their one on one encounter. Seek to be a believer that does not waver in your convictions about Christ and His revelations to you.
PRAYER: Father, You have called me to be someone that stands for righteousness and truth. As you reveal Yourself to me and allow me to build solid convictions that align with Your word, I ask for grace not to waver from them. Let me not be swayed by what people say. Give me the strength to do the hard things and make choices in line with the truth. In Jesus name, Amen.