Reflections for Easter: Mob Mentality

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Matthew 21:8-11 ~

Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

 “Praise God for the Son of David!
    Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
    Praise God in highest heaven!”

 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Praises filled the air.  Shouts of joy.  Cloaks,  branches, and hands shook in the air.  The sound was deafening as the crowd shouted and cheered.

Matthew 27:20-23 ~ 

 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”
The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”

 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

 But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

Curses filled the air.  Shouts of anger.  Fists shook in the air.  The sound was deafening as the crowd cursed and jeered.

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The crowd who just days earlier had jumped up and down, shouting and praising Jesus as the Messiah were now shouting for his crucifixion.   The mob surged first with joy, and then with anger.

 Mob mentality.  How many people in the first mob that were praising Jesus didn't really believe he was the Savior?  Likewise, how many people in the second mob went home and wept at the things they had raged.  How many in that crowd felt sickened at the consequences of their behavior?  How many regretted their words?

 Yet, Jesus asked his Father to forgive them.  He wept for them.  He bled for them.  He suffered for them.  He died for them.

 He died for that mob.  He died for you.  He died for me.

 What is our response to this?  Do we continue to follow the mob and ignore him?  Mock him?  Deny him? Or do we break away from mob mentality and turn to him?  Follow him?  Live for him?

Sunday is Palm Sunday.  Those very palms that were waving on Sunday, called for his death on Friday.

 How often have we followed the mob?  Denied him?  Kept quiet when we should have spoken up?  Talked when we should have kept quiet? 

 As you wave those branches today, ask yourself, "Will I call for his crucifixion on Friday?"  "Will I deny him out of fear?"  "Will I follow the crowd?"

 My prayer is that we will break free from the mob and walk the way of the cross.  The way of Jesus.  The way of life.

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