Voice of the Crowd! Actions of a Coward!

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead, an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” Matthew 27:24

Pilate washes his hands! I dare say he washed his hands like we wash our hands. While we scrub to stay free from the Corona Virus travels through the air, Pilate scrubbed his hands to stay free from the prince of the air that contaminated his province. But he was already infected, but was asymptomatic, and so were those that partnered with him to convict and crucify an innocent man. To avoid making the courageous decision, he empowered the voice of the crowd. This is the action of a coward!

Justice is not about who is the most vocal, or even about the one who has the microphone. Justice gives a voice to everyone. Justice is not drowned by the crowd but rises above the level of those who chant in fear of sharing their rights and finds a balance between those who have rights and those who have been denied rights. Again, the decision by Pilate showed himself to be a coward! And yes, we see this today!

We see a group of people who lack the courage and ability to lead in adversity. As opposed to quieting the crowd, they fan the flames of their hatred; saying the crowd doesn’t speak for their values, but validate the crowd by siding with them, and doing their bidding. These are the actions of a coward!

Rome fell, even after selecting Christianity as the official religion. Rome claiming to be God’s Country didn’t prevent its demise, much like being God’s people didn’t prevent them from being punished or exiled. Sadly, the same will be true for America.

America is not protected because we have the name of God printed on our currency. Change must come, and it won’t come by the washing of hands, but the uniting of hands and choosing justice and equality for all and not just for some. Amen. © 2020 Pastor Johnny Ogletree – Houston, TX