12 "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.
13 "Crucify him!" they shouted.
14 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
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This passage demonstrates the obvious downside of man's secular confidence in "democracy." More deeply, I think it illustrates the ultimate shortcomings of man's philosophical confidence in "utilitarian" and "evolutionary" principles. Just because the majority thinks something is a "good" idea does not make that something "right." Even though I don't consider myself as having outsider/rebel instincts, I'm increasingly surprised and perplexed at how often people -- some more blindly than others -- are happy to "go with the flow." Their assumption is that if something is popular, it must be good because otherwise why would so many folks (including alot of smart ones presumably) support it rather than kill it? This is the seeming iron-clad logic of applying the survival-of-the-fittest principle in our lives. The problem is that the historical path of human civilization is embarrassingly littered with all sorts of blood-covered objects that are labeled "popular" and "good." It's almost like looking at Satan's track record or resume of "accomplishments."
Standing up and doing what's right is something we all would like to think we can, if not actually, do all the time. To do it in the face of adversity is even more daunting. Jesus makes no bones about this and is very upfront in his teachings about the persecution both He and His followers must face. When it comes to physical workouts, the mantra is "no pain, no gain." Do any of us EVER feel the pain when it comes to our spiritual workouts? In fact, do any of us EVEN participate in something that qualifies as a spiritual workout?
Mobs are terrifying. Reminds me of Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar." After Caesar's assassination, the mob cries out for vengeance. Then Brutus gives a speech that turns the mob and causes them to cheer the tyrant's death. Then Mark Antony gives another speech and turns the mob yet again, so that they weep for the great Caesar and cry out for vengeance once more.
Mobs are moved by emotion, not reason. Reason moves too slowly whereas emotions move like quick silver. I know that whenever I act out of a strong emotion - I always regret my actions and words afterward. It is difficult to have perspective when one is in the midst of something. Wisdom and perspective calls for distance.
Jesus never appealed to our emotions. He may appealed to our hearts, compassion, conscience and reason. Yet he never stooped to propaganda. See the difference between his patient teaching versus the actions of his accusers. His accusers strove to whip up the people's feelings and presented contradictory arguments that didn't make sense. They demanded immediate action so that there wouldn't be time for reflection. I'm always wary of people who try to instill a false sense of urgency.
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