Lead with Grace

For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 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. Mark 15:10-15

Just a few days ago, the multitudes had worshipped Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.

And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” Mark 11:8-10

Months ago, multitudes followed Him as He taught, healed, fed, loved, and cared for the crowd. Although there were always those against Jesus, the Bible paints a picture of multitudes that followed Him. For example, he once fed 5,000 followers. There was definitely a movement behind the grace and love of Christ.

And, at the middle of the movement was His love for the individual. As He walked among the multitudes, Jesus uniquely ministered to the individual. Story after story is written about Jesus stopping to connect, to minister, to help those in need. From the woman at the well, to the paralyzed man, to the woman that had been bleeding for 12 years, to Jairus crying for his dying daughter, to Zacchaeus, to Peter, to Mary and Martha, the stories abound of His ministry to the individual. He was a picture of grace.

So how does the story end up with the multitudes who once followed Christ now shouting to crucify Him and release Barabbas, a murderer?

The momentum of the multitudes swayed the crowd. Public opinion followed the multitudes. One reads the story, and it seems the movement happened like a wind through the crowd. Sudden, drastic, strong. The multitudes quickly changed direction. Even if there was disagreement with Jesus, where was the grace from the multitudes?

Maybe grace would have stopped the momentum of the multitude. Maybe grace could have been a fire that stopped the wind. The momentum of grace could have thwarted the negativity toward Christ.

Today, the world is divided. Grace is the one unifier we have at our disposal. I must regularly “reach across the aisle” and understand counter views of the way I view the world. And, grace must follow the differences.

As you encounter differing views today, see the other perspective. Seek to understand. Christ’s dialogue with the individuals that he encountered in his life was full of love and understanding, and, always, Biblical truth. Christ was full of grace. He was always willing to offer grace and truth to the individual.

Yes, the story in the Bible of Jesus and the cross is one of the momentum of the crowd, but, this was God’s plan all along. Jesus came as the Messiah to die on the cross. The cross was for us. God controlled the momentum.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

The momentum of the multitudes changes day-by-day, but the Word of God is unchanging, an anchor in the middle of the sea of commotion.

Let all discussions start with grace and be full of truth. Lead with grace.

Impact others. Live generously.

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