In the Gospels, "the crowd" play a significant part. Those in Sunday School this week got a quick review of Moltman's book, "The Crucified God," in which the author reminds us that Jesus' death does not occur until the crowd turns against him.
In Mark 11, the religious authorities are angry with Jesus, but they don't take action because they feared the reaction of the crowd. Here, the crowd are those who act independently of what they have been told; they reflect the will of God.
Realizing how fickle the crowd can be (they turned from welcoming Jesus on Palm Sunday to shouting for his death on Good Friday) there is still something to be learned here. The crowd plays a correcting role in the unfolding of God's story. The crowd makes sure that the will of God is not ignored.
Toward which end does the crowd in your life move you? Is the crowd more likely to incite you to want to silence God's anointed? Or does the crowd prompt you to seek God's justice and purpose? This is more than a question about whom you consider your friends or peer group. It is an invitation to consider the potential of those who know the will of God, and have the opportunity to see that it is accomplished.
May we be united in our commitment to making known the will of God. Might we be courageous enough to stand for what we know is right. If only we could stand against those things which tear down and destroy. The crowd has the ability to hold firm - regardless of what we are being told to believe or think or do.
In Mark 11, the crowd prevents those opposed to Jesus from silencing him. Might the crowd in our world make sure that his voice continues to be heard.
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