Pilate's One Chance

So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.  Mark 15:15

Wanting to gratify the crowd may be a good thing, such as a music performer playing that hit song that maybe they do not want to play yet another time, or it may be that the crowd needs a restraining influence. Here is Pilate, the one authority who could restrain the crowd, but he doesn't want to answer them with a negative. So, Barabbas gets to live another day, while an innocent man goes to the cross. Pilate lives on also, but what thoughts go through his mind after meeting Jesus? We do not know. Pilate is not quite out of the story after this. There is the matter of a body to be buried. However, Pilate's one chance came and went, and he chose the crowd over Jesus. I think there is a lesson there!

Rejoice in the Risen Savior!

Bucky