Knowing but still conforming - Mark 15-16

Pilate didn't get where he was in life by being stupid or dull. He had to be a sharp leader to gain the power he did in a Roman world of rule. He had to have read all the recent books on leadership and graduated from Roman Leadership U! Yet, when confronted with the decision of what to do with Jesus he did the same thing most leaders do (especially political leaders) ... he gave in to his public. The "fear of man" is such a devastating and crippling disease for leaders. It is a cancer that runs in their backbone. In 15:15 it says he "wished to pleased the crowd" and gave Jesus over to be crucified. He knew Jesus was innocent and he knew the Pharisees only gave Jesus over to him out of envy (15:10), even though he knew, he still conformed to the world and to the popular thing to do. Leadership is about doing the right thing. Pilate choose the crowd pleasing thing. We see so few leaders who will go against popular belief. Leadership today wants an attractive message not a needed message. Leadership today wants and earns power by giving in to the masses and doesn't use the position to lead the masses into what is right. If you are a leader in some form or fashion ... your home, school, church, club, community ... take the opportunity to not lead by popularity and the fear of man, but by truth and the fear of God. Pilate knew better ... but he still did evil.