When the religious leaders brought Jesus to him, Pilate was not too convinced that their charges were political in nature. He suspected the matter stemmed from their envy of Jesus.

Nonetheless, Pilate allowed himself to be swayed by them. When the religious leaders tried to corner him by saying that he was no friend of Caesar if he released Jesus (JOHN 19:12), Pilate weighed his political options and realised it was too much of a risk to his reputation to release Jesus. As the crowd, stirred up by the chief priests, shouted, “Crucify him” (MARK 15:13–14), Pilate gave in to pressure and did what the religious authorities and the multitudes wanted: he had Jesus crucified and Barabbas freed (V. 15).

Pilate is an example of a selfish person who preferred to hold on to his own position, status, and power, even though he knew he was doing the wrong thing by sentencing Jesus, who was innocent, to the cross. His conscience was seared when he made the biggest compromise of his life.

How simple it is for us, too, to cave in to pressure from our peers, society, and workplace. How easy it is to do something that we know is ethically and morally wrong, or to remain silent when we see injustice around us. Do we compromise on what is right because it may jeopardise our reputation and status? Let us be people of courage and resolve to stand up and speak for the truth, and be a voice to the voiceless and marginalised.