When Mob Rule Bent the Rules

 

Then [Pilate] released Barabbas to them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.

Matthew 27:26

Let's think about this scene a little. More than it being the story of Barabbas gaining his freedom, it's about the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, abdicating all authority to those he was placed in charge of.

His wife had warned him to have nothing to do with the rabbi from Nazareth, and his own interrogation of the prisoner confirmed that Jesus had committed no capital offence. And yet...

He tried as hard as he could to let Jesus go free, even offering him as the traditional Passover prisoner release. And yet...

He had Jesus beaten to within an inch of his life, something not usually done in connection with a crucifixion, in hopes of gaining sympathy for him from the crowd. And yet...

The crowd chanted. The crowd threatened to report Pilate to Caesar.

The crowd prevailed.

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Truth is...The majority is not always right.

The Case of the Unstumpable Savior

 

They were not able to catch [Jesus] in what he said in public, and being amazed at his answer, they became silent.

Luke 20:26

The religious leaders at the time of Christ weren't all that excited about Jesus walking around gaining followers and respect. In fact, they wanted him to stop.

They figured if they could just get Jesus to say something blatantly false or ridiculously stupid or undeniably blasphemous, his reputation would be wrecked, and his followers would come back to viewing them as the real authorities.

The only problem is that their religious riddles and verbal traps never fooled Jesus. He saw them for what they were and responded with such deftness and aplomb that even Jesus' detractors were left speechless.

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Truth Is...Trying to catch Jesus off-guard is like waiting for a square to have three sides or trying to smell the color nine.

Horticultural Advice from the Messiah

 

When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared.

Matthew 13:26

This verse is in the middle of a parable Jesus told comparing the Kingdom to a field containing both good seed and weeds. The landowner's servants suggested going into the field and pulling out all the weeds, but that plan was rejected for fear of damaging the good crop while attempting to get rid of the bad.

In Jesus' words, “‘No,’ he said. ‘When you pull up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.’”

Leaning into the obvious interpretation that "the harvest" represents the end of time / the second coming of Christ / the final judgement, let me make two observations:

     1. This calls into question all the speculations about a "rapture" where God's people get taken away and the unsaved folks get left behind.

But more importantly...

     2. It seems that when it comes to determining what (i.e., who) is a weed or part of the good crop, God's intention is for it to be done at the end of all things by the harvesters, not in the midst of the growing season by the plants themselves.

In other words, while I certainly am called to be discerning about what advice I take or whose example I follow, it is never my job to say, "You're in. You're out." Plenty of plants and weeds look alike when they're growing. It's only later on, when fruit is produced, that you can really be sure.

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Truth is...The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

What the Old Guys in the Front Row Knew

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

John 6:26

In my growing-up years, I spent Sunday mornings in the second pew from the front, seated behind a row of old, big-eared deacons who were waiting to serve communion and take up the offering. I sang the hymns, listened to the sermons, and never passed notes or whispered to my friends.

When I became a teenager, I started wishing for something more than ancient songs and sitting quietly. I started looking for a faith that expressed itself in more exciting ways. And I soon found a group of friends who wanted the same.

It started with the attitude of "Jesus loves us and died for us. Isn't that worth getting excited about?" It didn't take long, though, before excitement alone wasn't enough. We started evaluating musical skills and speaking abilities to determine where to be involved.

One day, it hit me. Those old guys on the front row didn't need the latest musical style or the hippest graphics to keep them interested in Jesus. They faithfully served for decades because the gospel is true and God deserves to be honored.

To bring it back to John 6, they weren't looking for a free meal, they were sitting at the feet of The Teacher.

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Truth is...It is worth considering whether I am seeking God, or seeking blessings from God.