Even dictators have to take note of popular feeling. Englishmen did not like rule by major-generals. Majority parties in a democracy have to make concessions to strong minorities.
It was true in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. The last verse in Luke 19 records of the chief priests and leading citizens: ‘… they found they were helpless, because the people all hung on his words.’ Jesus had a strong following and it was more than inadvisable to upset them.
Events moved steadily and sadly forward. Storm clouds were gathering around Jesus. The top people saw Jesus as a threat. The common people knew he felt a genuine concern for them.
We have here an example of the fact that power is nothing until it is organised. The religious leaders were experienced in this. They were cautious. They knew they could rely on the preoccupation of the land-workers, fishermen and others who had families to feed. They common people were bound to use their energies on land and water to the good of their children and the detriment of other interests.
We hear little about them and their aspirations and plans. The shakers and movers had it their way – though there were some amongst them who thought differently.We know the names of some. Peter, for one, Nicodemus for another. Then there was Joseph of Arimathea. An uneasy minority might be encouraged by their behind-the-scenes activity even if they saw no way of taking matters further.
Remorseless events took their course. A clash with the top people led to the unspeakable. Yet this was in the purposes of God. The outcome was Christianity.
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