The Crowd

Mk. 15:11

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.

The crowds are so easily swayed. Perhaps this was the same crowd that had been following Jesus, eating of the bread of His miracles and being healed. As long as it was to their benefit, Jesus was good! But on this day at the feast, Pilate's tradition was to release one prisoner. So the crowd began asking for Pilate to follow through with what he had done in the past. After having questioned Jesus and finding no wrong in him, he perceived that the priests brought charges against Jesus out of envy. So as a means to get out of his predicament, he asked the crowd if they wanted the King of the Jews  released. What would the crowd say? But quickly and with great fervor, the priests persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas. Pilate then cried out to the crowd, Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews? And the crowd in a blood-thirsty frenzy cried out, Crucify Him. Pilate tried once more, asking, Why, what evil has He done? But the crowd would not relent; in fact, they shouted all the more. The priests had won the day! Pilate's hands were tied! He released Barabbas, a known murderer, and delivered the innocent Jesus to be crucified.

Father,
Help me to always stand for right and not follow the crowd who can be so easily swayed. The one reassuring thing is that You sovereign will was done, and no matter the crowd, Your will will always be done.
In Jesus name,
Amen