Satisfying the Multitude

This month found me reading and re-reading events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. As Mark records the incident of Jesus on trial before Pilate, he writes these troubling words. “Wishing to satisfy the multitude, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15, NASB)  Or, as the New King James Version states, Pilate wanted to “gratify the crowd.” 

And we know how that turned out!

Satisfying the demands of the multitude sometimes leads to devastating consequences.

And this made me wonder if there have been times I’ve gone against conviction to “satisfy” or “gratify” the demands of others.

And if so, why?  

     Because it’s easier?  

     Because being one voice can feel ineffective, even frightening, against other strident                        dissenting voices? 

     Because it may cost me something to go against the crowd?

     Because standing up for truth is becoming increasingly unpopular?

In today’s cultural climate it is not always easy to be one voice.

When the world calls right wrong and wrong right,

When conviction is viewed as intolerance and bigotry,

When truth is labeled hate-speech – it may be easier to “gratify the crowd.”

But – at what cost?

In the case of Jesus before Pilate, we know God had it covered.

That God’s will and mission will not be thwarted.

But we have to live with our choices and the words we speak or don’t speak.

May God give us courage to stand up for right even when it goes against the crowd. And to make the choices that point others to the Savior of the world. 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."

 Psalm 19:14

The Day After

  

Was it a day like today – gloomy, rainy, depressing, dark?  It could have been. 

For some it was a day of intense sorrow and mourning mixed with fear.  

The One they followed and loved, the One they gave the last three years of their lives to, the One in whom they had placed their hopes and dreams of a glorious future –

Jesus - was dead.

The cross was empty 

but the tomb was full. 

And now, where was their hope for the future?

For others it was just another day.

One more criminal put to death on a cross outside the city.

Business as usual.

It wasn’t going to affect them much if one more person died.

It’s not much different today.

The significance of the cross is lost on some.

Lives go on, unaffected by the sacrifice.

But for the believer –

the cross changed everything!

Satisfying the justice of a holy God, 

the cross bridged the uncrossable gap between God and man.

We can be forgiven because one day over 2000 years ago Jesus paid the price.

Forgiveness is extended because of the cross.

But the hope of life eternal?   

That came the next day!  

Nothing But The Blood  -  Words & Music: Ro­bert Low­ry, 1876

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

           Oh! precious is the flow
           That makes me white as snow;
           No other fount I know,
           Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Thankful for the cross.

On the night he was betrayed ...

Reading the Gospel account of the Easter Story I am struck anew by the myriad of emotions beginning with that night - the night they took him:

- Hostility from those who came with swords and clubs to take him from the garden where he prayed

- Deceitfulness of the betrayer

- Misplaced courage of the disciple who lashed out with the sword

-Fear of the disciples who “forsook him and fled”

-Hatred of those who spit on him, struck and mocked him as he was questioned by the high priest

-Fear that gripped Peter when he was identified as a follower of Jesus, fear leading to his denials and bitter weeping.

And through it all – the calm voice of the Savior – the one really in charge!

“The hour is at hand…

Let us go…

The betrayer is at hand…”

“Friend, why are you here?”  (spoken to the betrayer)

“Put up your sword.” (to the would-be defender)

“I could ask my Father and he would send more than 12 legions of angels to defend me – but Scripture must be fulfilled.”

And to the mob, “Do you come with swords and clubs to take me like a thief, when I was with you teaching every day in the temple and you didn’t take me then?”

And before the high priest, he calmly “held his peace.” He responded to the questions with simple honesty, though he knew he would be condemned by his answer when asked if he was the Christ.

“Thou hast said; nevertheless hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus spoke truth – fully aware of the consequence – aware that the truth would incite more hatred towards him. Yet he was fully in charge even when bound and “led away.”

He knew power was available to save him – power that could wipe out the lying, deceiving accusers who opposed him. He knew he could be vindicated in the eyes of everyone.

But he set aside his own self-justification to provide a way for us to be justified.
And that way led to the cross. 

Early in the Morning

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;

In the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3

What is it about early morning that makes it easier to draw close to God?

Maybe it’s the quiet peaceful calm before the bustling activity of the day.

Or before the noise of a wide-awake world hurrying to get to the next place, do the next thing, and accomplish the next endeavor clangs into our consciousness.

Or before the demand of the urgent, knocking so loudly, drowns out the still, small whisper of His voice.

Ah! The blissful strengthening balm of early morning moments with Jesus infuses peace and calm and courage. Holy moments bring order to a day that otherwise might deteriorate into chaotic disarray.Priorities are set, perspective is established, and the day comes to order.

The writer of the Gospel of Mark records at least four things that happened early in the morning:

Mark 1:35 Very early, while it was still dark, Jesus went to a solitary place and prayed.

Mark 15:1 Very early in the morning the religious leaders made their plans, bound Jesus and handed Him over to Pilate.

Mark 16:1-2 Very early on the first day of the week the women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.   

Mark 16:9 Jesus rose from the tomb early on the first day of the week.

Jesus’ work and the devil’s work began early in the morning. It’s best we are with Him at that time of day.  Jesus was praying. He was active. His followers were seeking him!

Satan was active also, filling men’s hearts with evil murderous plans. 

God, I want my day to be ordered by You – my plans to be Your plans.

Early I want to be seeking You.

“O God, You are my God; early will I seek You…” Psalm 63:1(a) NKJV