Read: Matthew 27
Verses chosen for reflection: Matthew 27:20-23
[20] Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. [21] The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” [22] Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” [23] And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Reflect
I have always been curious as to how the crowd could be persuaded to crucify Jesus. Even the most notorious Roman judge of the day did not give easy verdicts of crucifixion on anyone. That form of capital punishment was reserved for the lowliest of the low and those who committed notorious crimes like treason. This was why even Pontius Pilate exclaimed: "Why? What evil has he (Jesus) done?"
Even so, the religious leaders managed to persuade the people to demand for crucifixion on a man who had done nothing wrong against them. While I can understand why the religious leaders wanted Jesus dead (mainly due to their sense of insecurity as well as being offended by Jesus' "blasphemous" claims to be the Son of God); what did Jesus do to the people? Jesus did not harm them in any way. He spoke the truth which they can choose not to follow. He healed many of them who were sick, cared for the broken hearted and even delivered some from the clutches of demons! So what made the people turned so readily against a man whom they thought was the Messiah?
In some ways, the people realised that Jesus was not the kind of Messiah they were waiting for. They expected Jesus to overthrow the Romans and reestablish the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus did not do that, but was seen as weak to give himself up to the hands of the religious leaders and then to the authorities of the day. Perhaps they thought to themselves, this is definitely not the Messiah. The Messiah would never allow himself to be subjected to their Roman overlords. Hence, they started to change their opinion and support for Jesus. They started to take things into their own hands.
Furthermore, I believe the people were also persuaded by the "yeast of the Pharisees" (Matthew 16). The "yeast" which tried to garner the support of the people for self-interest and wrongful interpretation of God's laws. Hypocritical practices which only sought to subject the people to "laws" but rejected the spirit of the law. Hence, though the love for God was frequently spoken, it was seldom practiced.
In other words, the people allowed themselves to be led astray. This was despite Jesus' repeated warnings that they should stay away from the false teachings of the religious leaders. Unfortunately, the people chose to follow the loud cries of the Pharisees. They went with what was seemingly the "majority"; who wanted Jesus to be gone from this world.
Relate
While Jesus had conquered sin and death; many ungodly voices remained in this world. Voices that often persuade us to give up the faith, adopt wrong teachings or give in to the "little temptations" in life. We need to discern if these voices are for our good; or are they propagated by people who wanted to further their own interests.
Some voices are tempting to follow because they seemed to be so "in line" with the word of God. The use of Hebrew or Greek which makes the preachers seem so knowledgeable. Even then, we need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit help us discern if these preachers are preaching the truth; or are they preaching what seems to be truth within their own hearts.
There is a world of difference between these two perspectives and we will do well seeking God and the wider community of believers to understand how we can read the word in its context. As someone once said, it is important to get our doctrines right. For doctrines influence behaviour. Bad behaviours are definitely the result of bad doctrines.
Hence, what seemed popular might not be true. What seemed unpopular might be the road less travelled but the right one to follow. What seemed powerful might not come from God either. What seemed weak might be a sign of humility and surrender that comes only from a person who stays close to God. Just like our Lord Jesus, when facing persecution.
The whole idea is to know that Jesus is victorious. We need not be forced to adopt what is false through peer pressure. We need to understand that what God said in His word and what the world preaches as "truth" is often different. We must not be persuaded by a majority opinion; but rather be persuaded by our conviction on what is the right and ethical thing to do. For the Day will arrive when Jesus comes back again as Judge. When that Day comes, I believe it will be to our great benefit, to find ourselves on the right side of the fence.
Rest
Lord our God, there are many voices in this world. Help us to discern which of these voices belong to You. Which are not. Help us to also share what is good and right with those around us. Give us the grace and strength to apply what is good so that in Christ, we can do good to others. This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Jason
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