In a democratic system it is common for those who are elected to office to want to “please” those who put them in office. We even expect them to “represent” their constituency. Pontius Pilate was not elected to his office, but he had a powerful motivation not to anger or alienate the Jews, those who were subject to him. He did not want to initiate a revolt from the Jews, and in Mark 15 we see that he tried to satisfy them without just giving in to their demand for Jesus’ execution.
He gave the people a choice; He would release either Jesus or the wicked, evil Barabbas. To his surprise, they demanded the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. He had a sense of justice, asking regarding Jesus, “Why, what evil hath he done,” Mark 15:14. But Pilate, led by Jewish leaders and the shouts of the people, and being “willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified,” Mark 15:15.
It has always been tempting for leaders in any society to desire the plaudits, the approval of their peers. If there is an urgent need for that approval it can place a leader in a position in which they must consider abandoning their leadership role and doing whatever the people want – in other words, to “content the people,” regardless of the wisdom of doing so. Even Pontius Pilate felt that pressure, and he caved in to it, crucifying Jesus. To this day, his name is associated with cowardice, with little regard for principle.
It is natural to desire to be appreciated, liked by the people within one’s realm of activity. Who wants to be hated/disliked by others? But from childhood we are taught that not everything we want is good for us. Parents who love their children do not give them every gadget or toy they desire. Those in positions of leadership have a responsibility to lead others in ways that serve their very best interests, not merely their spur-of-the-moment wants. A young boy may want to get in Dad’s car and drive it around the block. Dad, however, knows the boy is not prepared to do so, and such could present a danger to himself and others. Mature men and women realize such responsibility – but often they are overwhelmed by the pleading, by the support gained by their constituents, the threat of their loss of support – they caved in, just like Pilate.
When Jesus established His church He placed leadership in the hands of those who fit certain qualifications. There is no room in His church for leaders who prefer popularity and acclaim from others rather than approval from God. Those qualifications are quite strenuous, very explicit and just as carefully worded. They are found in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3.
Described therein are men who always take the “high road,” not necessarily the most popular. They have one area in which they make decisions: in matters of judgment, matters of expediency. Christ’s doctrines are final and need no input from me. Elders must please God, not the people. If God has given explicit directions on a subject, an elder’s mandate is to follow them to the letter, using their own judgment only when scripture does not spell out the details.
I cannot always have my way, nor can others. I may have a different opinion/judgment than others on a matter in which judgment is allowed, but if others prevail in some decision, I must yield – even if doing so does not “please the people.”
It is likely that some do not understand the nature of the elders’ work. Some may think that all we do is “make decisions.” No, we are not the CEO’s of the church. What decisions do we make? Is it ours to decide if the Bible is to be taught and preached? No, God has already made that and other decisions. Elders’ work is compared to that of “shepherds” (from poimen in the original language) 1 Peter 5:1-4. It implies the care and feeding given to the flock of God, Christ’s church. Elders’ work is to watch, guard, protect that flock “…over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood,” Acts 20:28. That precludes our forcing our will on others.
To the question, “Do you always agree on every matter?” I hasten to say NO. That is why God directed the church to have a plurality of “elders”, not just one. That is why one of the qualifications states, “a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God, not self-willed…” Titus 1:7.
Pontius Pilate wanted to “content the people.” All of us would like to have the world’s approval, but we must please God, and when we do that, we do all men the greatest favor in our power to provide – God’s truth.
