Mark 15:15
SàSo to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead tipped whip, then turned Him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
HàJesus is arrested and it just so happens that it comes at a time when the elected official will listen to the people and release a prisoner. Pilate comes out and the crowd wants Jesus dead and so they want the other prisoner released. Pilate listens to the crowd and send Jesus to be crucified. The elected official always listens to the crowds demand that Jesus be crucified. Whether it comes from the left or the right side of the crowd, “Crucify Him” sounds the same to Pilate and he carries their wishes through; that the politic of the world.
HàCan I just say that the Holy Spirit is crazy? I can’t believe it, actually I can believe it and I am learning to expect it from the Holy Spirit. How fitting that today, on election day that this would be the scripture I would read for the day. I am reminded that I am the crowd and as Pilate (the elected official) asks me what to do with Jesus that I am the crowd that yell’s crucify Him. As I enter into the polls today I elect Pilate and yell, Crucify Him, Crucify Him….and Pilate listens because Pilate wants to please me. My question is, does it matter if I yell “Crucify Him” from the left side of the crowd or the right side of the crowd or even from the middle of the crowd. Doesn’t “Crucify Him” sound the same regardless of what direction its yelled. And what if I just don’t vote? Isn’t not voting also yelling “Crucify Him?” I am reminded today as I go to the polls that I am the problem; I am the one that is responsible for killing Jesus. I am the one in need of mercy and forgiveness. I am the one who killed Him and ironically in that killing it was for me to be forgiven. God have mercy on me, a sinner, in need of your grace. Forgive me for my shout to Crucify you today.
PàLord, have mercy on me today, a sinner in desperate need for your forgiving grace. Forgive me for my chant of “Crucify Him.” Take my chant and have victory over it; transform it into a means of forgiveness. Transform it into the very thing that will bring redemption into my life; make me into the person you want me to be and give me the grace to keep moving forward seeking to become a devoted follower of you. Continue to pour out your consuming grace that bleeds off of the cross and in spite of my chant have your way with me. Have mercy on me. Amen.
EàJesus takes my chant and uses it as a means to bring about forgiveness in my life and the world.
