Stirred Up Crowd

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Mark 15:1-11

I have been to baseball games where the crowd was more dangerous than any flying bat or ball. And God forbid a person should attend the Patriot's game this Sunday and root for the Eagles. Crowds can be dangerous at times and individuals can easily be persuaded to follow the will of the crowd. There is then, no right or wrong, just going with the crowd to save oneself. An individual is subsumed by the crowd. And it's scary! The angry mob was whipped up by the chief priests and even Pilate, who was very powerful was unable to turn the tide. We are invited today to make sure we listen to the heart of God rather than be persuaded by the ignited, unthinking crowds. God voice will always be the still small voice.

Loving Creator, you placed your heart within us

you gave us minds to think and wills to move

away from the fashion and foolishness of the moment

and always toward compassion, justice and love.

We ache to fit in and change so we can be accepted

yet we are weary from the violence and judgment

you love us completely and for our whole selves

yet we are afraid to set out and be wholly different.

Give us your strength to speak up and move

away from conforming and towards embracing

all those who are different, rejected, and abused

knowing that Jesus was and is part of them now. Amen.