Matthew 27:15-25

Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.  At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.  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?"   For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

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."

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.

"Barabbas," they answered.

"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" 

"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

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!"

All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

 

11:00 AM – Ask the students if they have ever “mobbed” their teacher, begging to be told or to get to do something.  Did they surround the desk or the teacher on the playground?  Did the teacher try to talk his/her way out of it?  Were you relentless until the teacher finally gave in?

 

7:00 PM – Ask if anyone has ever been overwhelmed by a mob of people who wanted something?  Have they been part of or observed a group that picks up on something and because of the large group, are able to sway or change something that is happening?  Have you ever felt pressure from a group, tried to excuse yourself or convince them otherwise, but finally caved in to their persuasion?

 

Quite a number of years ago the White Sox tried a promotion called Disco Demolition.  During the first game an uncontrollable number of people overran old Commiskee Field.  During the exhibition between games of the double-header, people mobbed the field, tearing up the outfield grass, and caused such a disturbance the second game was cancelled and forfeited to the visiting team.  Now how many of those people would have run around on the field on their own?  It just doesn’t happen.  But when there was a large group and someone said, “Let’s go!” well, off they went. 

 

It is a mob mentality out there.  Think of the crush of people who trampled others a year ago at the ET Nightclub in Chicago.  Mobs do things that people normally don’t do. 

 

In four days we are going to reenact the mob of Palm Sunday as people thronged to joyfully receive Jesus into Jerusalem.  The cheering crowds were from Jerusalem, but also throughout Israel and the entire known world as they had come to celebrate the Passover.  The city population for this was estimated at ten times its normal size.  They shouted out, “Hosanna!” which means, “Save us now!”  It was a joyful and hopeful mob.  But they were putting pressure on Jesus just the same. 

 

They wanted him to do or be something for them on their terms and according to their understanding.  They wanted Jesus to be king and lead them back to the national prestige they had under David.  Yes, they loved Jesus.  Yes, they wanted to follow him.  Yes, they believed him to be the Christ and trusted in him.  Yes, they wanted him to do things they wanted in their selfish ways too. 

 

It was not a new thing.  At different times Jesus withdrew from the crowds, partly to be alone, and sometimes so they could not elevate him to a position they wanted.  Satan made it very clear what he would drive the people to demand as he took Jesus up on the mountain, laid out all kingdoms of the earth before him and promised he would give them to him.  Satan laid that same temptation out on Jesus again in front of Pilate and Jesus responded, “My kingdom is not of this world.”  But that Palm Sunday was an extraordinary day.  People were welcoming and rejoicing in their Messiah and rightfully so as Jesus accepted their shouts of praise and adoration.

 

The Temple leaders wanted a king too.  They wanted a king on their terms and in their camp.  In that way, they wanted to be the king or to control the king.  They were angry that Jesus would not play into their hands, but hopeful that through him they would succeed in establishing their kingdom.  They were angry that Jesus mystically gathered all of the masses of people around him and they were left behind.  But isn’t that how things will be for those who do not look to Jesus and trust in him as their king?  Won’t they be left behind too?

 

The mobs of people wanted a king.  They rejoiced in Jesus because they had heard his word and knew he was from God.  They were also puzzled because he did not go the direction they may have wanted.  That was true with the disciples as James and John vied to sit at Jesus’ right and left hands, and the other twelve were indignant probably out of some jealousy themselves. 

 

That was true with the disciples as James and John vied to sit at Jesus’ right and left hands, and the other twelve were indignant probably out of some jealousy themselves.  The mobs of people wanted power in their hands too.  They wanted power for themselves.  They wanted power for themselves.  They wanted power for themselves.  We want power for ourselves too.

 

Think of the television audience who applauds when told to applaud.  We laugh when we hear the automatic laughter.  We get snacks when the commercials come on.  During the Super Bowl we don’t get snacks when the commercials come on because the mobs tell us, “Watch these commercials!” 

 

Yes, the crowds can manipulate and are manipulated because they are looking for leadership, an answer to their needs.  Jesus knew that as he looked out on the people with compassion as they were like sheep without a shepherd.

 

The mobs manipulate the leaders.  On Palm Sunday the crowds manipulated the temple leaders who broke down in disgust as they exclaimed, “Look, we’re getting nowhere!”  Look at the handful in the Praetorium courts as Pilate again and again cries out, “This man is innocent.  I find no fault in this man.  Behold the man.  I wash my hands of this mess.  Go and do as you please because I can see that nothing is going to satisfy you.”

 

Today, we are part of both mobs, the Palm Sunday and the Friday morning mobs.  That is the tension in the life of a believer, swaying back and forth from one mob to another.  We cry out “Hosanna!” when we see Jesus.  We are boldly in favor of him one moment.  We also boldly expect him to give what we want just because we cry out, “Hosanna!” 

 

We hide in fear and shame the next moment when the mood around us changes.  We stand boldly shouting against Jesus another moment as we strike out daringly with our favorite vice or join the swell of popular opinion and choice of the time.

 

In our hearts and intentions we would dearly love to keep God’s commands, boldly tell others about Jesus, and build up the church with our efforts and gifts.  In our hearts and intentions we willingly break God’s commands and his covenant with us if not by what we do, then by what we speak, and if not by what we speak, by what is in our hearts and the dark corners we try to hide in and behind.  We have betrayed Jesus by turning our backs on him.  We trade him in for our passions as we choose the Barabbas’s in our lives over his.  We shout, “Hosanna!” which means, “Save us now!” when we realize the predicament we are in. 

 

God hears.  He did not turn his back on his people, even those shouting at the top of their lungs, “Crucify him!”  God did not turn his back on his people, even when they refused to listen to a conscience of justice and wanted kangaroo justice in return.  God did not turn his back on his people when they pleaded, “Let his blood be on us and our children.”  God did not turn his back on his people as he marched the trail to be lifted up as he promised he would do.  God did not turn his back on his people as he cried out, “Father forgive them because they do not know what they are doing!” because what they were doing was fulfilling his plan to save them.  God did not turn his back on his people because he is faithful and just and will forgive and purify those who cry out for his mercy in Jesus.

 

We shout “Crucify!” with our sins.  But, in repentance we shout, “Hosanna!” for God to save us now.  And he does.  Amen.