Luke 23:1-11 - People-pleasing

Scripture:

Luke 23:1-11
1 Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King."
3 So Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And He answered him and said, "It is as you say."
4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, " I find no guilt in this man."
5 But they kept on insisting, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place."
6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.

8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him.
9 And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently.
11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
NASU

Thoughts:

It's so tempting to be a people-pleaser. Rather than standing on the firm ground of what is right and true, to try and avoid confrontation and just go with what's popular at the moment.

The Jewish leaders have brought Jesus before Pilate for trial (verse 1). Pilate illustrates how trying to please others so easily leads to compromise and sin. He refuses to release Jesus, though by his own words there's no reason to try Him (verse 4). Instead, Pilate sends Jesus to Herod in an effort to escape the situation. This will save him, he seems to hope, from the difficult choice of either doing the right thing, releasing an innocent man, or pleasing the Jewish leaders that want Him condemned. This strategy fails, however, as Herod only sends Jesus back (verse 11b).

In contrast, is Jesus. Never a people-pleaser, but Truth, itself. He answers truthfully, though certainly not what those accusing Him wanted to hear (verse 3). And He doesn't even answer the false charges against Him (verse 2a).

Further, upon reaching Herod, He could have sought to win his favor. Herod too, could have released Jesus. He wanted to be entertained by Jesus (verse 8), but Jesus wouldn't even answer his questions (verse 9).

Prayer:

Lord, give me the strength in the face of the pressure to please others, to instead do or say what is right. May my desire to please You be greater than my fear of any consequences that may follow, relational or otherwise.

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.