The Posture of the Heart:

The account of Jesus’ trial is one of profound injustice, but it is also a mirror, reflecting the attitudes and heart postures that led to His rejection. The Jewish leaders, the swayed crowd, and even today’s believers are not so different. Pride, fear, and misguided priorities have a way of creeping into our hearts, blinding us to Jesus’ truth. If we’re honest, these same attitudes can still show up in our lives, often in subtle ways. So how do we recognize these postures and overcome them? Let’s take a closer look at the hearts of the Jewish leaders, the crowd, and even ourselves.

When Pride Blinds: The Heart of the Jewish Leaders

The Jewish leaders were supposed to be the spiritual guides of their time, yet they orchestrated Jesus’ death. Why? Their pride, fear, and zeal got in the way.

Take a look at Matthew 26:59-60: “Now the chief priests and the entire Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus so that they might put Him to death.” They were willing to manipulate truth because Jesus threatened their sense of control and authority.

Their pride in religious knowledge blinded them. They knew the Scriptures inside and out but missed the living Word standing before them. This can feel uncomfortably familiar today. How often do we, as believers, cling to tradition or intellectual understanding but miss the fresh, transformative work God wants to do in our hearts?

And then there’s fear of losing control. John 11:48 captures their anxiety: “If we let Him go on like this, all the people will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” They were so afraid of losing their position that they couldn’t see Jesus as the answer. Fear does the same to us—it keeps us holding tight to our plans, our authority, and even our comfort zones, instead of surrendering to Christ.

Finally, their misguided zeal led them to protect the Law by killing the One it pointed to. Legalism is still alive today when we focus on outward appearances of faith but neglect mercy, justice, and love (Matthew 23:23).

Ask Yourself:

When the Crowd Follows the Wrong Voice

The crowd that cried, “Crucify Him!” wasn’t inherently evil. They were just…human. Influenced. Fearful. Impatient. From their error, we see the dangers of being swayed by others instead of standing firm in truth.

Matthew 27:20-23 tells us the chief priests persuaded the crowd to demand Barabbas’ release instead of Jesus. Barabbas was a revolutionary, a man of action, someone who seemed like an immediate solution to their problems. Jesus, on the other hand, appeared passive, offering a kingdom they didn’t understand.

Easily swayed by leaders. The crowd let others think for them. It’s tempting to do the same today, whether we’re following charismatic leaders, trending opinions, or even the expectations of friends and family.

Desire for immediate gratification. Barabbas symbolized action and results. Jesus called for faith and patience. How often do we chase quick fixes instead of trusting God’s long-term plan?

Fear of being different. It’s hard to stand against the crowd. Fear of rejection or conflict often tempts us to compromise our convictions for the sake of fitting in.

Ask Yourself:

When Our Own Hearts Resist

Here’s the hard truth: the attitudes that led to Jesus’ rejection didn’t end with the Jewish leaders or the crowd. They live on in us.

Spiritual apathy. It’s easy to prioritize comfort—careers, entertainment, even family—over truly following Jesus. We might go through the motions of faith while neglecting worship, prayer, and service.

Selective obedience. We can pick and choose which parts of Scripture to follow, aligning our faith with what feels comfortable or culturally acceptable. Supporting justice but ignoring personal holiness is one example; the reverse is another.

Compromised allegiance. Declaring Jesus as Lord while giving ultimate authority to political ideologies, societal movements, or even our own desires is a form of rejection, too.

Ask Yourself:

How Do We Fix It?

We all have blind spots! The good news is that God doesn’t leave us there. Psalm 139:23-24 gives us the prayer we need:

“Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”

Here are a few practical ways to begin:

Conclusion

The rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders and the crowd wasn’t just a historical tragedy; it’s a personal warning. Their pride, fear, and misplaced priorities kept them from recognizing the Savior. The same attitudes can sneak into our lives today, but they don’t have to define us.

Jesus calls us to a different posture—a heart that is humble, surrendered, and open to His truth. Whether you’ve been walking with Him for years or you’re just beginning to explore who He is, take a moment to reflect.

What’s holding you back from fully embracing Him?

When we let go of pride, fear, and misplaced priorities, we find not just a Savior but the abundant life He promised. Will you take that step today?