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The word is Courage!
Pilate desired the release of Jesus, but the crowd demanded his death. Pilate sentenced Jesus to die. Pilate desired no denial of political and societal position by permitting a riot within his area of Roman authority. Pilate understood compromise.
When the stakes of life are high, it is difficult to stand up for what is right, and it is so easy to witness opponents as problems to be solved rather than as people to be respected. If Pilate did possess courage, he would have released the Nazarene Rabbi.
When decisions demand all of our intellectual giftedness and make our virtue live on the line, we cannot discount peer pressure. We are called to realize that the right decision may result in some unpleasant consequences. Yet, when we are tempted to lose our courage and sway... remember Pilate.
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