Overcoming in Plain Sight

It’s really easy to shirk away from Overcoming when the times get tough.  Speaking the truth, honoring a commitment that you no longer feel like keeping because others are ridiculing you, or standing boldly for a cause that matters is hard work.  Everyone wants to be loved and no one enjoys standing alone–especially in a crowd.  Peer pressure is a powerful motivator and equally powerful at stripping away one’s will to hold onto integrity, uphold a principle, or defend a cherished value.

Jesus didn’t think much of the crowd.  And they didn’t think much of Him.

Matthew 27:15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 24 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!” 25 All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”

Pilate, confronted with a crowd, sided with them to avoid the visible natural conflict, and he washed his hands of responsibility.  It didn’t change his culpability before God, though.  It merely postponed the ramifications of a poor decision to the final judgment seat.  Wash his hands all he might, but the consequences are still his to bear.

What will we do when confronted with peer pressure?  Will we do what is right or capitulate to pressure?

Our standing against the rising tide of evil and self-interest in order to do what is right by God will always be valuable in God’s sight.  There is a reward for doing what is good and the abundance is tied to our fear of the Lord.  Overcoming in plain sight of people acts as a powerful witness to God’s existence, holiness, and power.  It brings God great glory when His people take refuge in Him, particularly in plain sight of the crowd.