"And all the people answered and said, 'His blood be on us and on our children'"(Matthew 27:25).

What leads us to do foolish things? Why do we often look back with regret on decisions made against our better judgment? Some consolation is found in the knowledge that we are not the first to fall victim to poor decision-making. The pages of the Bible and history are replete with characters who abandoned reason and ended up regretting it. Yet words like those above-"His blood be on us and on our children"-speak of something more than just a poor decision. They remind us of the awful consequences that almost inevitably stem from an emotion-fueled mob. Otherwise reasonable, God-fearing people made some of the worst decisions because they were swept up in the mob mentality. As we consider how we can follow in the steps of the Savior, it is important that we recognize the mob mentality so that we can always make wise and godly decisions.

Consider some of the mobs of the Bible. It was the prestigious Sanhedrin, the Jewish council which coldly condemned Jesus, that was incited by Stephen to the point of stoning. Scripture tells us they "were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth" and later "cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him"(Acts 7:54, 57-58). Those who had dared not stone Jesus for blasphemy were overcome with fury and made Stephen the first Christian martyr. Although the Jews knew that "it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death"(John 18:31), Stephen's words and the emotion of the moment led them to do something they were not permitted to do! The Sanhedrin reminds us that mobs thrive on emotion rather than logic-and in the heat of the moment make horrible decisions.

While Moses delayed on Sinai, "the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, 'Come, make us gods that shall go before us'"(Ex 32:1). What a party this must have been! "All the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears"(Ex 32:3)-they were excited about worshipping Jehovah! "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play"(v. 6) in this great mob-what a feeling! In all this confusion and frivolity, no one thought that perhaps God's fresh command not to make idols of Him (Ex 20:4-6) might contradict what they were doing. Where was Aaron? Caught up in the excitement of the moment and the emotion of that mob, he must have forgotten his role as the priest of God. His excuse? "You know the people, that they are set on evil…I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out"(Ex 32:22, 24). Aaron reminds us that mobs often thrive because of weak leadership which succumbs to the pressure of the mob. The Scripture remarks that "Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies"(v. 25). God expects His leaders to stand up for Him, even in the face of a difficult mob. When they do not, bad decisions usually follow.

What about the Jews who condemned Jesus? They were concerned about the Law to the point that "they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled"(John 18:28), yet they plotted to deliver an innocent Man to His death! It seems clear that the story of Jesus' capture, trial, and crucifixion bears the mark of a bloodthirsty mob continually escalating until they went too far. This is the only explanation for the tragic cry, "His blood be on us and on our children"(Matt 27:25) or for asking for the murderer and terrorist Barabbas (Mk 15:7) to be released into their midst rather than the meek Savior. They all knew better! Even the Gentile Pilate knew that such a thing was a travesty, yet no one had the strength to stand up to the unruly mob. These Jews remind us that mobs often lead to long-term terrible decisions that cannot be undone. Ask the many who have died in mob violence, ask Judas the traitor, ask Korah and his rebellious clan. Guilt and shame, frustration and anger-these are the "morning after" feelings for those involved in mob behavior.

What of it? We must guard ourselves against the mob mentality today. We may not be faced with a literal mob, but we often feel the pressure to conform to the world and what everyone else is doing. Remember the words of Paul, who held the coats of those who stoned Stephen: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"(Rom 12:2). The world may be pressing us into its mold, but we can choose not to be conformed to it! The way of the Christian is upstream and against the grain as our society runs headlong toward Satan. Just as the Bible mobs attest, what is popular is rarely what is right!

Mobs thrive on emotion rather than logic. Our commission is to be reasonable people, remembering that excess of emotion leads to dangerous conclusions and decisions. Perhaps we are very excited and emotional, yet we have missed God! "We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age"(Titus 2:12). Mobs prey on weak leadership, so we must work to be and promote strong leaders for the Lord. Today we need Joshua and Caleb to lead us rather than Pilate and Aaron. Leaders must stand up to the mob, even when it is overpowering and seems hopeless. We must also take caution lest our emotions lead us into long-term decisions that will hurt our physical or spiritual welfare. "Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established"(Prov 4:26). Let us pledge to serve the God of heaven above all else! ___Jacob Hudgins