Peer pressure?
Not exactly. But, there is a clear warning for us about giving in to mob rule when the pressure is on.
Let’s find out why in this section from the Easter Story.
In this Bible study lesson from Mark, Jesus takes the place of Barabbas on the cross — And takes our place shortly afterwards.
Pilate Hands Jesus Over to be Crucified – The Easter Story Continues..
“Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.
And the one named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the revolt.
And the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them.
Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”
For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.
And responding again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”
But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”
Intent on satisfying the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.” – Mark 15:6-15 NASB
Given to the Enemy
In this Scripture reading, we can look at the passage in several different ways…
First, who’s fault was it that Jesus was sentenced to death?
a) Pilate, the one who gave the order?
b) The Jewish leaders, who stirred the crowd into a frenzy?
c) The crowd who yelled, “Crucify him!!”?
d) The disciples, who went into hiding?
e) Peter, who denied ever knowing Jesus?
The answer is all of the above.
The crucifixion followed a chain of events and there are multiple ways to interpret this story.
However, a short lesson I received from this is a warning for us.
Pilate caved when the pressure was on him.
Maybe, he was afraid that the Jewish leaders would report him to Caesar — not to mention a possible riot of the crowds.
This is a clear lesson as to what sometimes happens when we give in to mob pressure.
Like Pilate, we sometimes do the wrong thing because we are afraid of the consequences of doing what we know is right.
At one time, we watched this type of behavior from other countries (not so much the USA). But now, mob violence seeking “justice” has come home to America.
Remember, the mob yelled “Crucify Him!” even without fully knowing the charges — or looking at the evidence against Jesus.
As Christians, let’s give this some thought the next time we’re tempted by the “crowd“.
About Barabbas
An interesting side note is that Barabbas (Yeshua Bar ʾAbbaʾ), literally means “son of the father” or “son of the teacher.”
Yes, Barabbas was a terrible criminal. But, he was no threat to the religious leaders; Christ was.
The priests stirred up the crowd into releasing Barabbas instead of Jesus; knowing that Christ would be crucified.
And, that is exactly what happened.
The irony of this lesson is that, even before His death, Jesus took the place of a condemned man.
By dying on the cross, Jesus also took our place – knowing that we would be condemned for our sins.
This gesture of pure love can’t be ignored.
Love in Christ
– Bob
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