20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.” 23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices won out. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will. (Luke 23:20-25 CSB)
Pilate knew what was right in this situation. As Jesus stood before him, Pilate could clearly see that there were no grounds to charge Jesus. The accusations could not be substantiated. There was no reason for punishment. In the words of Pilate, What has this man done wrong?
Yet, the crowds kept up the pressure. Their voices got louder. Their demands were relentless. They wanted Jesus crucified!
Confronted with a matter of righteousness and justice, Pilate succumbed to the voices of those around him. In what would become his defining moment of failure as a leader, Pilate allowed their voices to prevail. He handed Jesus over to their will.
Like Pilate, I will be confronted often by the pressures and demands of other voices in my life. The voice of culture. The voice of the demonic. The voice of my own flesh.
What voice will win out? What voice will I allow to prevail?
Ultimately, the only voice that truly matters is the voice of Jesus, speaking to me through His Word and the Holy Spirit. May this be the voice that ultimately prevails today. May God grant me the discernment and sensitivity to recognize His voice, and to boldly obey.
