The People Pleaser

Pilate didn’t want to order Jesus’ crucifixion. Why? He didn’t want to give the Jews, whom he despised, the satisfaction (Mark 15:10Mark 15:10
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10 For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.

WP-Bible plugin). But he had other reasons:

• Pilate’s wife had a dream warning him to have nothing to do with that “innocent man” (Matt. 27:19Matt. 27:19
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  19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”
  
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• Pilate was afraid that Jesus might actually be the Son of God (John 19:7-8John 19:7-8
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  7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” ⁸ When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid.
  
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But Pilate was also pulled in another direction:

• He was manipulated into believing that if he spared Jesus he would be opposing Caesar (John 19:12John 19:12
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  12 At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”
  
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• And the crowds, stirred up by the Chief Priests, were demanding Jesus be crucified (Mark 15:11-14Mark 15:11-14
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  11 But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead. ¹² Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?” ¹³ They cried out again, “Crucify him!” ¹⁴ Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!”
  
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Though Pilate was corrupt, he didn’t want to condemn Jesus to death – to give the Jews what they wanted.

Pilate seemed to do everything he could to have Jesus released, but rather than stand by his convictions, he instead bowed to the will of the crowd.

In the end, Pilate chose to be a people pleaser. Thinking he could have it both ways, he publicly “washed his hands” of any responsibility (Matt. 27:24Matt. 27:24
English: World English Bible - WEB
24 So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

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So Pilate joined the High Priest, the Chief Priests and the crowd in in their corruption. They were all now party in the humiliating public death of an innocent man.

Like all of us, Pilate had a conscience. Like all of us, Pilate had influences on both sides. Yet he chose to be a people pleaser in the short term, and is remembered today as a fool.

We are confronted with decisions all day long – some are inconsequential while others may change our lives – and the lives of others – forever. Among these choices, some may require you to decide: will you please people or will you please God? As difficult as it may seem, as confusing as the circumstances may be, make every effort to please God. Don’t be a people pleaser.