IT IS NOT GOOD TO GO ALONG WITH THE CROWD

PROCLAMATION

“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them.  He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.”  Mark 15:15 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to Mark, a companion Simon Peter.  After He was seized and arrested, Jesus was taken before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin council. (Mark 14:53)  They condemned Him to death and had the guards take Him to Pilate. (Mark 14:64-65 and 15:1)  With all of the accusations against Him from the chief priests, Jesus did not defend Himself before Pilate. (Mark 15:2-5)  Finding no fault in Him, (Luke 23:4) Pilate was going to release Jesus, but the crowd said, “Crucify Him!” and release Barabbas. (Mark 15:6-14)  In order to please the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas and ordered that Jesus be flogged and crucified. (Mark 15:15)  Pilate tried to absolve himself of the blood of Jesus by washing his hands before the crowd, but he gave in to the crowd's request and ordered Him to be crucified. (Matthew 27:24)

 

APPLICATION

Doing things to please the crowd is rarely a good thing.  It is never good to go against your own principles in order to please the crowd.  Just because “everyone is doing it” does not mean that it is a good thing to do.  Going along with the crowd, especially for the sake of popularity, usually leads to bad outcomes. (Matthew 7:13)  It is not possible to please man and to please God at the same time, we must choose one or the other. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  It is better to stand alone on The Word of God and walk God’s way than it is to be accepted by a worldly crowd. (Matthew 7:14)