Pressured

What should I do?

So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him." - Matthew 27:17-19

In Matthew's version of the trial of Jesus, Pilate is indecisive.

He not only cannot decide on his own what to do with Jesus, but his wife also advises him to against taking harsh action against him.

How often do we find ourselves in a similar situation, unable to make a decision, possibly because every option we see has dire consequences?

In the end, he gives in to the crowd, giving greater importance to the few who came before him with loud voices than to his own better judgment.

We can all find ourselves pressured by the crowd, making decisions we would normally not make because we get caught up in the moment, or because we fear reprisal.

If only we could keep our wits about us and resist the temptation to join in.

Sometimes the voices of the crowd are all inside our own heads.  We hear them all day long and let them sound out over and over again as we try to be silent. 

I think that is what is happening today.  All of us are being bombarded by the crowd shouting, and like Pilate, our resistance is getting thin.

We will soon decide to go with the loudest voices and when we do, our own judgment will be nullified.

We will cease to have our own voice, and will echo the mob.

Shouldn't we try to silence the crowd and think for ourselves?

Can we?

More to come...