I read the part in the Bible again
of how Jesus stood trial before Pilate the Roman Governor and I
realized again how many chances he had to release Jesus and not
give in to the pressure put on him.
Historical records indicate that
the Jews had already threatened to lodge a complaint against Pilate
for his stubborn infringement of their traditions, even before they
brought Jesus to him. Such a complaint could lead to his recall to
Rome. He also had to maintain peace in the region and if a riot was
to erupt he could lose his job. So at the stage when they brought
Jesus to him, his job was already in a shaky position.
Now Pilate immediately realized
that Jesus was innocent and that the Jewish leaders were only
jealous of Him. Not only did he realize it, his wife also warned
him not to crucify Jesus as she had a dream that He was innocent.
So Pilate knew that the right thing to do was to let Jesus go.
There was no question about that.
But the Jewish leaders had incited
the crowd to ask that Jesus be crucified. Now Pilate tried a couple
of things to release Him. First he had Jesus flogged, as he thought
that that would appease the crowd and they would be happy that He
was punished. But that didn't work, they yelled even louder that He
should be crucified. Next he asked them to choose between Barabbas
and Jesus to be released hoping that they would say that Jesus
should be released, but that didn't work either. Then he took Jesus
back into the headquarters and tried to talk to Him and also tried
to release Him. But this failed too. Then he tried to argue with
the Jewish leaders and reason with them, but it was then that they
threatened to report him to Caesar. This frightened him, as his job
was more important to him than his conscience. He finally relented,
but he washed his hands in water declaring that Jesus' blood was in
their hands and not on his. But that was just to make himself feel
better, the fact of the matter was that Jesus' blood was also on
his hands.
Pilate compromised on what he knew
was right. He buckled under pressure. His job was more important to
him than his integrity. It was more important to him than having
peace in his heart that he did the right thing. He would go down in
history as the one who couldn't take a stand for what was
right.
And it is the same with us. Do not
compromise when everyone is doing something that you know is not
right. Do not compromise when you are pressured to make a decision
at work you know is not the right thing to do. Do not compromise
when everyone is watching a movie that is questionable. Do not wash
your hands and walk away from a situation where you could have made
a difference. Do not take the easy way out, stand for what is right
regardless of the cost. Even just being inactive in a situation you
know is not right, is sin.
James 4:17 "Remember, it is sin to
know what you ought to do and then not do it."
God will be proud of you if you
take a stand and bless you accordingly. You will have peace in your
heart that surpasses all understanding and you will be in right
standing with God. Is that not the most important thing?
Lord help us to be strong, help us
to stand up for what is right. We want to please You more than
anyone else, You are our God and Savior and we love You. Amen