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In Luke 23:13-25, we find one of the most striking examples of moral weakness in history—Pontius Pilate. Though he found no fault in Jesus, he allowed the crowd’s demands to dictate his actions. Pilate had the authority to release Jesus, yet he chose the path of least resistance.

Luke 23:13-25,

Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; 15 no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. 16 I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” 17 (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

18 And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. 20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 21 But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

22 Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.” 23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. 25 And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

What Others Are Saying About Cowardice

• "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." - Winston Churchill
• "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear." - Mark Twain
• "Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.” - Aristotle
• “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.
• "There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction." - John F. Kennedy

Pilate – armed with a spear

Courage – the God-given ability to stand

How to Live Courageously in a World Filled with Cowards

Joshua 1:8-9,

8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:6,

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1. Acknowledge and confront your fears.

Psalm 56:3,

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

2. Speak faith to your fears.

2 Corinthians 4:13,

“I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak.

3. Embrace discomfort and make courage a habit.

2 Timothy 1:6-7,

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

4. Find inspiration from other courageous leaders.

Hebrews 13:7,

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

5. Humbly ask God to help you to live courageously.

1 John 5:14,

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

6. Begin today by taking small steps toward courageous living.

Joshua 24:15,

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Discussion Questions:

• Have you ever let fear dictate your decisions?
• Where is God calling you to stand firm, even when it’s difficult?
• How can you take a small step toward courageous faith today?

Final Thoughts

Pilate’s failure wasn’t indecision—it was a decision to please people over God. As believers, we are called to stand firm, even when the world pressures us to conform. May we choose faith over fear and courage over compromise, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.