Feeling pressured? In the trial of life, what verdict is it producing?

I remember when I was a young Pastor, a woman in my Church asked me to call a certain family, a few days later I saw her again and she reminded me to call them. The week was very busy and I just forgot. That Sunday morning she saw me in the parking lot as we headed into Church. She ran up to me and asked me if I had called, I felt such pressure for letting her down, I gave into it and lied. I told her I called several times but no one picked up the phone. I figured who would be hurt by a “white lie?” My message that day was on integrity! The invitation was that, if you know you have blown it with someone, go to them and get right, even if that meant right now. I said we will give the Spirit some time to let us reflect. I tried to go sit down…BUT the Spirit had every intention of making me reflect. I stepped down off the platform and walked to the middle of the Church and signaled for that young woman to come to me. She came and I whispered in her ear, “Please forgive me, I lied to you. I was embarrassed that I had forgotten and let you down. I never tried to call them.” She embraced me and began to cry and said, “Oh Pastor, I do forgive you and I am so glad you came to me, because that family does not have a phone!” Never underestimate what pressure can lead you to do…and NEVER, NEVER underestimate the love and grace of your heavenly Father.  

2000 years ago, one man was in a unique position to do right, but because of pressure he caved in and took the temporal “easy” road, however, that cost him the path to eternal life!

Pilate was under great pressure and his reactions should be a warning to us.

First, his reaction was based on Reputation

Mark 15:12–15 Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”  Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

John 19:12 As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

Pilate was so wrapped up in what people thought of him, that it led him to condemn a man he was convinced was guilty of nothing! We do want people to think highly of us, that is human. When it is based on truth that is called a testimony, which is centered on character. When it is based solely on appearance, which is a reputation. This will be a constant struggle for us as we live in this flesh, but the Spirit can enable us to see ourselves through the Lord’s eyes. That will always be a mixture of humility and gratitude…humility because we see our sin, gratitude because we see how God can mold us into someone better!

Second, his reaction was based on Rationalization

Luke 23:13–16 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

Matthew 27:24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”

No matter how much we may try to move responsibility of a decision or action to someone else, if God has placed us as the one to make that decision or take that action, we cannot escape that reality. I know for myself I can rationalize quite well, because it is convenient, easier and at first “feels” okay. The problem is the Holy Spirit will not allow that, and in the long run I have had to face God and sometimes others for my unwillingness to face the truth. When I have refused to rationalize, God has been rich in mercy and grace, knowing I am a man of flesh.

 Third, his reaction was based on Fear

John 19:7–11 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God. Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.  So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above;

Fear is one of the fiercest emotions we have. Interestingly, I have found through years of counseling…and from observing my own sinful behavior, it usually reveals the real issue is that we feel we are losing control. Our sin nature desires and demands to be in control, be the ultimate “authority” in our life. When truth challenges that, we become fearful, because we cannot control what happens. Pilate was gripped by fear, especially when he realized he could not intimidate Jesus.

I have found that my struggle with fear is directly related to my lack of faith. The Word of God makes it clear that Truth leads to faith and faith leads to real freedom. Freedom delivers us from the pressure that sin works hard to produce in us that will lead us to make decisions based on that pressure, not Truth.

Meditation: As we continue to reflect on Easter, let’s ask ourselves what pressures do we feel in our heart? How are we responding to that? Is there anything you see in Pilate, that might be occurring in your life? What do you need to do to change that?