Mark 15:15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman ruler of Judea who signed the final verdict of the crucifixion of Jesus would have been an affluent and highly influential Roman delegate. He would have been a close associate of the Roman emperor Tiberius. The Roman representative was appointed to manage financial affairs of a province and ensure political stability. However, when the crowd went extremely hostile and ballistic, the insurrection insinuated Pilate to hand over Jesus into the hands of the Jewish leaders. Pilate’s involvement in the final judgment was vital and the Jews did not have the right to sentence anyone to death. “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected (John 18:31b). The High Priest Caiaphas was given some rights to judge and punish for religious misconduct but not execution. The Jewish Leaders had gathered a mob to riot. The crowd was agitated and was growing uncontrollable. Hence, under pressure, Pilate conceded to the coercion of the crowd. The CV of Pontius Pilate was endorsed as “people pleasing leader”.
“Don’t be afraid of losing people. Be afraid of losing yourself by trying to please everyone around you.”
Our values and standards under pressure will be the credentials on our CV. The stress of closing a huge business deal, the strain of being in the good books of our boss, the pressure to balance cordial relationships, and the demands to remain popular are a few areas that we must watch out for. Our principles under pressure will be the validations on our resume.
What does our CV look like under pressure?
1. Pleasant: We cannot be pleasant and pleasing all the time. There are times when we would have to politely say ‘no’. “The art of a leader is to say ‘no’ not saying ‘yes’. It is very easy to say yes.” – Tony Blair. Being pleasant is important but it is equally important not to please people in order to pose a pleasant personality.
2. Pleasure: The same people who add pleasure to our lives can also cause pressure. When we are forced to do things or to go to places just to keep people happy, we become ‘people pleasers’. Rather, if we chose to put ourselves in uncomfortable conversations to convey our principles, there would be short term pressure but long term pleasure.
3. Please: Leaders like Pilate who want to be popular and ‘preach to please people’ cannot please God. Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). This does not mean that we have to be rude or raspy but we can politely convey the truth. People appreciate the truth more than a fake façade.
May our CVs be filled with credentials of pleasing God.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, make me tough on the inside to take my stands boldly under pressure. May I never be a weakling and a people pleaser. Amen
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