The Crowd Was Wrong

Adam Thompson of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the Eighteenth Century, was the first American to fill a bathtub. People became alarmed; Doctors predicted that rheumatism and inflammation of the lungs would follow such practice. Some cities placed a ban on bathtubs. The authorities even refused to grant permission for citizens to do the “new-fangled exercise.” But today a home is not complete without a tub or shower. The crowd was wrong.

Fulton believed in his efforts. He believed a steamboat could be a workable thing. But “Fulton’s folly” was the name the crowed gave to that first steamboat, and yet, giant steamships cross the seven seas. Again the crowd was wrong.

Goodyear and his wife worked tirelessly for eleven years on vulcanizing rubber. People laughed at Goodyear. They said he was foolish to work so untiringly and so long at a task that could only end in failure, but the name “Goodyear” is known around the world today. Again the crowd was wrong.

“Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” (Matthew 27:22-29)

Pilate’s wife had said, “Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him” (Matthew 27:19) (God always has a witness, even in the darkest hour.) Pilate should have heeded the advice of his wife. But he did not have the courage enough to stand up for his own convictions. Mrs. Pilate was right. The crowd was wrong.

Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13, 14). He said the crowd is wrong.

Do not go the way of the crowd. Do not listen to the crowd. Go the way of the Cross. It is the NARROW WAY, but it leads to life eternal!