Luke 23:1-25 Compromise of Pilate
S. Luke 23: 23-24 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand.
O. Human beings are naturally inclined to follow the path of least resistance. We try to avoid sufferings and often focus more on avoiding conflicts. Compromising in our faith can take many forms, but it always involves failing to put God first in our lives and allowing the temptations of this world to triumph over God and His law. In today’s passage, we learn compromise does not work, especially in God’s kingdom.
a) Compromise: Fail to administrate justice (1-5) Because the Roman government did not allow the Jewish leaders to execute a criminal, they brought Jesus to Pilate, the governor. Pilate, after examination of Jesus, found no fault in Him. But as the religious leaders became fiercer in their demand to kill Jesus, Pilates was shaken and did not administrate justice and release an innocent man.
b) Compromise: Dodge responsibility (6-16) Pilate, on hearing Jesus was from Galilee, sent Him to Herod. Pilate wanted to sidestep his duty to judge to Herod. Herod again found no threat or fault in Jesus. When Pilate reported his findings to the religious leaders and was about to release Jesus, the leaders demanded the discharge of Barabbas instead. Pilate panicked, washed his hands and compromised.
c) Compromise: Let peer pressure wins (18-25) The religious leaders were determined to kill Jesus. No matter what Pilate said they just insisted on their demands with shouts and threats. They even incited the crowd to condemn Jesus. Because of this, Pilate did not find the courage to oppose both the religious leaders and the crowd. At the end, Pilate conformed to their requests to release Barabbas and crucified Jesus.
A. Great evil can happen when the truth is at the mercy of peer pressure. Compromise can show itself in such ways as either twisting scriptures out of context to suit your purpose or rationalizing sin to avoid having to make sacrifices. Pilate failed to honour the position of authority granted to him and became compromiser. But we should learn from his mistake and must use our freedom of choice to exercise our opportunities to witness and muster all the courage to tell the truth.
P. Lord, I am sorry that I have compromised my convictions before. Help us to find courage in You to stand up for our faith and be witnesses for You.
