Westside Church of Christ

This was not just “one of those days” that is described in Mark 15. In fact, there had never been a day like this one, and it would never be repeated. It was absolutely unique. The earth would shake and the sun would hide in a matter of hours. Nails would be driven through the rejected Son of God and heaven’s plan would be carried out for all to see. Human eyes would behold it, and ungodly hands would wield the hammers in a mission far beyond the scope of worldly reasoning. No, this was definitely not “just one of those days.”

The mob had been given a choice: Jesus or Barabbas? The King of the Jews or a murdering insurrectionist? It would seem to have been an easy decision looking at it through 21st century eyes educated with biblical knowledge. We have information that they did not have, and there were forces at work. The crowd had been whipped into a frenzy by the high priests. Pilate was backed into a corner. Who can ignore public opinion polls?

Pilate stands high atop the list of the worst villains in history. He faced the demanding crowd, and he knew that the chief priests had an ugly motive driving them to stir up that mob. Pure and simple, it was envy. Deep in the unseen hearts of the power brokers was an emotion that drove them to manipulate the multitude to intimidate Pilate. It’s amazing what influential people with ugly hearts can do. Minds can become so warped that the Savior would be rejected for a killer. Lust will take us where we never thought we would go and affect people in unimaginable ways.

There are tons of voices shouting at us; sometimes whispering at us to follow their lead. It’s dangerous and easy to fall in with the majority. The ultimate decision, though, is up to each of us. Some leader is likely behind the group action. What’s motivating that person? Is it lust for an ungodly goal? For a life-taker rather than the life-giver? Barabbas or Jesus? That’s still the choice.

It is a chilling picture. There was a collection of influential people wielding their big sticks to inspire a crowd to shout for the King of the Jews to be crucified. They didn’t just want Him removed from their midst. They wanted Him dead, and they pressured the political system. It would appear that the Lord had lost the battle. The commoners, religious leaders and civil leaders were in agreement. Drive the nails. It was an early preview of the “God is dead” movement. It didn’t work then and still doesn’t.

Peter exposed them all on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-24). None of the participants on that not-just-another-day event had factored in the unseen One. They all got what they wanted, but they failed to see that they were actually carrying out the plan of God.