Pam Padgett ... teacher
While reading in the book of Mark, examples of choosing whether to do what is right in the sight of God or go along with what man wants us to do stood out to me ...
When Herodias' daughter danced and please Herod, he swore to her that
whatever she asked, up to half of his kingdom, he would give to her.
Herodias prompted her to request the head of John the Baptist. Herod
was very sorry but, because of having sworn to her and because of those
who were there and witnessed these things, he sent to have John the
Baptist beheaded.
Mark 6:21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday
made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of
Galilee; 22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and
danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto
the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23
And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it
thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went forth, and said unto
her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the
Baptist. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and
asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head
of John the Baptist. 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head
to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 And
brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel
gave it to her mother.
When Jesus was taken before Pilate, Pilate knew the chief priests had
delivered Jesus to him because they envied Jesus. Pilate sought to
release Jesus, even asking the people who called for Jesus to be
crucified "Why, what evil hath he done?". But when the people continued crying for Jesus to be crucified, Pilate delivered Jesus to be scourged and crucified to content the people.
Mark 15:6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner,
whomsoever they desired. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay
bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed
murder in the insurrection. 8 And the multitude crying aloud began to
desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9 But Pilate answered
them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather
release Barabbas unto them. 12 And Pilate answered and said again unto
them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King
of the Jews? 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14 Then Pilate
said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more
exceedingly, Crucify him.15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
When Jesus was on the cross, those passing by railed and taunted Jesus, telling Him to save Himself by coming down from the cross.
Mark 15:29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their
heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it
in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31
Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the
scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King
of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And
they that were crucified with him reviled him.
Jesus previously told of pleasing the Father by laying down His life ... Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:17)
Jesus did not allow what people said to keep Him from doing the will
of the Father.
Another example was called to my attention as well ... After Jesus rose
from the dead and the apostles were given the Holy Spirit, they taught
about Jesus and many miracles were done by their hands. The high priest
and Saaducees were filled with indignation and had them put into
prison, but an angel of the Lord brought them out. They returned to the
temple, teaching, as the angel instructed them. When they were taken
before the council and the high priest reproved them for teaching about
Jesus after being told not to do so, they gave this response ...
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a
tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a
Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost,
whom God hath given to them that obey him.
This is what we are to do as well when men try to cause us to do that which is not right in the sight of God ... obey God rather than men.