Pilate tried to get out of sentencing Jesus to death, but the Jewish leaders would have none of it:

(NASB) Luke 23:18-23 “But they cried out all together, saying, “˜Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!”™

19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.)

20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

21 but they kept on calling out, saying, “˜Crucify, crucify Him!”™

22 And he said to them the third time, “˜why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”™

23 But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.”

The Jewish leaders had waited weeks for this moment and they felt it slipping away. Desperately they used every possible argument they had to sway Pilate”™s decision.

This same type of behavior is seen at all levels of life”¦hidden agendas become known. Desperate pressures are put into action to gain their ends.

How do you approach problems when you are confronted with opposition to your will, your agenda?

If you are a follower of Christ, do you seek His will and His way through the prayerful study of His word? What is God’s perspective for you?

(NIV) Psalm 37:1 “DO NOT fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;

2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

6He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret ““ it leads only to evil.”