Mob-Think - Mark 15-16

Mark 15:11-15 (ESV)

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mob mentality is not a new phenomenon.  Yes, we seem to have an increase in mob-think right now in our currently social landscape, but that was the very tool Satan used to make sure Jesus was crucified.   Notice where Satan uses mob-think to disrupt the plans of God and/or the leadership God puts in place:

1.  Satan used mob-think in the desert when the nation of Israel came up against Moses’ leadership.  
2. He used mob-think to force Aaron to make a golden calf.   
3. He used mob-think to build a tower to reach to God in Genesis 11.  
4. He used mob-think to run David out of his kingdom when his son, Absalom, rebelled, 
5. He used mob-think when the men of Sodom and Gomorrah game to Lot’s doorstep. 
6. He used mob-think against Jeremiah. 
7. He sued mob-think to stone Stephen.
8. He used mob-think to come out against Peter and the early church. 
9. He used mob-think against Paul’s teaching in Ephesus. 
10. He will attempt to use mob-think in the end times. 

The religious leaders that stirred up the mob to ask for Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified were not novel in their idea.   Pilate succumbing to their mob screams was not new.  Politicians not only succumb to mob screams today, they are typically the ones (like the Pharisees back then) who stir up the mob.   

But God uses the mob to accomplish His purpose.  He is not thwarted by the mob.  He used it in Jesus day to assure His Son would be crucified, because that is why His Son was sent.  Satan thought he had a victory.  He did not.  God used the mob mentality to accomplish His divine will.  He did it then and it will do now and in the future.