Mark 15:6-15 — The Voice (to Which We Listen)

 Mark 15:6-15

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas.

⁸ And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them.

⁹ And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” ¹⁰ For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.

¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.

¹² And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” ¹³ And they cried out again, “Crucify him.”

¹⁴ And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?”

             But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.”

¹⁵ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Comments: 

The Governor—Pilate—listened to the people more than he listened to the voice of justice or the voice of his wife’s warning to have nothing to do with the innocent man Jesus (Matthew 27:19). Even though he sought to release Jesus, he was more afraid of the priests’ threat that to pardon Jesus would endanger his standing with Caesar. Pilate not only feared any potential loss of his position, but he too feared death and was enslaved by it.

The crowd—at least those allowed near Pilate—listened to the voice of the priests for whatever reward or in response to whatever intimidation they offered.

The chief priests listened to their own appetite for power and their fear of losing it. 

Can you hear the devil’s voice whispering, persuading, shouting, intimidating? Or are we swayed by appearances to choices less than just, less than loving, less than faithful to the vocation/calling God has placed on our lives? 

All three groups or individuals here was under the influence of demonic wisdom as described in James 3:14-16,

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

  

In contrast, the wisdom from above is described in James 3:13, 17-18,

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom… But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

There are voices all around us. To which voice will we listen? The fearful voices of selfish ambition or the gentle, pure, sincere, voice of the wisdom of God?

In a nod to The Voice (the popular singing talent show famous for their blind auditions where the judges/coaches can't see the contestant until they have heard enough to decide if they want them on their team), what voice is it that will make us "turn our chair" this week? 

Lord Jesus, give us an ear to hear your voice above all the others!