PrintToday's "Moment with Mark" (122)
27 March, 2013
They shouted back, "Crucify him!" "Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has he committed?" But the crowd only roared the louder, "Crucify him!" (Mark 15:12-14 NLT)
It's a futile exercise to look for logic in a crazed mob. When Pilate asked the crowd to explain why they wanted to see this preacher from Nazareth executed, he was appealing for a logical reason that would explain the passion of the crowd.
All he got was a crazed response calling for the blood of the preacher. (Strangely, that observation reminds me of the preacher who had written in his notes, "Shout here, argument weak")! So far as the religious leaders in the crowd were concerned, they knew that all they had were conflicting stories. Therefore, due to the lack of factual evidence, the only way that they could win their case was by the sheer volume of their demanding, threatening voices.. The crowd was being whipped into a frenzy. Those 'professional stirrers' knew how to play the crowd. situations.
We will all face situations with dynamics like this. It may be......
- a domestic conflict (husband-wife, parent-child).
- a situation at Church (that polarises people call a particular Pastor
- a divided situation in your work place (one group being disadvantaged while another is unfairly privileged).
These can be very tricky times - especially if you are the one who makes the final decision as was the case with Pilate.
Emotions run high. Logic is in very short supply. Accusations fly in all directions. The great danger is that the loudest voices will prevail whether they have the numbers or not and whether they are right or not.
What we need is an example of how to handle such situations.
Then don't look to Pilate for that example.
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