When the Fence Becomes a Razor Blade

I think we've all been in this position---pulled between two options, undecided as to the correct course of action.  We don't like to be wrong, but we also don't like to be unpopular.  The consequenses of defying our peers can be absolutely brutal; so we wait to decide, until the edge of our comfey little fence sharpens and we're forced to make a decision. I think one of the most famous fence-sitters of all time was Pilate, unwilling to condemn Jesus, but fearful to not appease the crowd.  As the crowd grew in its fervor against Christ, that fence became a razor blade.

He chose, alright.

I've read that Pilate was driven by a torturous cancer to an early  grave, utterly consumed knowing that he sent an innocent man--the Son of Man--to a wrongful death.  We don't know what would have happened if Pilate had declared Jesus an innocent man and set Him free; but his accusers were hotly determined to carry out their plans.  It's likely that the mob wouldn't have rested until it found someone to carry out its agenda.  I wonder how many churches to St. Pilate, Martyr, might be around had he the courage to choose the right thing over the threats of an angry mob.

Let's face it, the world is falling into a strange state of affairs.  Thanks to a bunch of modern-day fence-sitters, we've seen bills signed into law without first being discussed, or even read, spiraling us into a financial and social vaccuum; anyone with half a brain realizes that an executive order will not trump the rule of law, and abortions will be funded by taxpayer dollars.  I can't help but wonder if our legislators even realize that they chose the angry mob over right. 

If we each think about it, we've each probably felt the bite of that fence sharpening out of nowhere, and if we're honest with ourselves, we've sometimes chosen the angry mob for fear of the immediate consequences.  There's nothing easy about following Jesus.  Sure, at first we think it's all rainbows and pie, but it can't stay that way if it's going to be authentic.  Hard decisions lie before each of us in every area of our lives.  The cut from choosing right could be more painful than we think we can take, but in the end, we'll rise again with Christ, because there isn't an angry mob big enough that can stop our Glorious Lord.