Bolting Through the Gate

But the only response to his appeal was "Crucify Him, Crucify Him." It is to be noted, however, that these cruel words now came from the chief priests and officers. 
James Stalker, The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ (free on Kindle)

I have heard the crucifixion story for years. But, like many of us, I missed this part of the story. 

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. Matt 27.20

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. Lk 15.11

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" Jn 19.6

Now then, this leads us into a couple of directions. One, we need to be very careful as we study the word. Here are three verses I quickly found that say the same thing---that the fear of the elders lead the people to shout down Pilate into a state of fear, making his allowance for the death of Christ. (Although we know it was planned since before the beginning of time---see my verse at the top of blog page). As we read and study the Scriptures, we must be mindful of all that we read and absorb. Not making a time limit of it, or I must read so many passages. I find it beneficial to read and re-read the same passage, seeing what God shows me each time. Each to his own, however; a practice that works for you and has the Spirit showing you what is righteous is indeed a good practice.

A second concern is how the drive of fear works in the world. The fear and envy of the elders caused great hatred toward Jesus. He said things to them, as He does in Scripture to us, that pointed out blatant sins. This is why today (and always) people can have a hatred towards the word. It points out, soundly and without concerns of "political correctness" the sins we do, have done, or may do. It shouts down more loudly than the mob before Pilate the evilness of our sin nature.
What is often missed by non-believers is the love from God covering those sins that resounds so loudly as to cover the faintest whisper of those sins.


Fear is a great tool. Fear of Jews created World War II. Fear of "Indians" (Americans) lead to massacres of tribes---even those than ran to escape. Fear, Fear, Fear. 
What is especially intriguing, if you will consider my happy rambling, is that fear can be a false fear. False fear: For me a false fear is a fear of the dentist. A fear of most of my doctors even before RA, that they would tell me something was wrong with me; something terribly wrong with me. Fear of being alone. False fears control us possibly more than true fears. How many of us know someone who plainly showed signs of cancer, yet would not go to to doctor for fear of confirmation...thus making treatment more difficult?
Fear is a very real creature, devouring us daily over a variety of things. 

There is a "fear" (if that is the word) of God, regarding sin nature, that makes those not of the fold hide away. This fear drives them to find ways of creating sinlessness...but only creates more sin through the constant twisting of His words This is the fear of the non-believer, the one who hides away from Him and sins by ignoring them both.

We have fears, even while knowing God. We fear the world about us, worrying what we can say, when we can say it, how we can say it. Worrying about health status and what will happen, worry worry worry. Rather than rely on the gift before us and around us, we focus on the fear and sin teasing us just beyond the fold-gate. And rather than listen to the voice of the steady, calm Shepherd, we sometimes bolt into the mouths of fear.  Terror washes over us as Fear laughs in our faces, rejoicing in the evil being spread. 
Oh, thank the Lord---He shouts as we wrestle with Fear, the sound of His voice heard over the roar of Fear. Since all creation worships Him, we are able to call out to Him as we see Him...and He strikes Fear into releasing us, shivering and tired, back into His arms. We are not alone battling Fear and the other "monsters" of this world.

We must fight the good fight as Paul speaks of. Remain strong in Him, reading His Scriptures, testing everything. Remain in Him, praise Him this day. Come soon, Lord, Amen.