What In The World Will You Do With Jesus?
It was the question before Pilate that fateful night. He was the Roman Governor. It should have been an easy decision. After all, why would he have cared? He had spilled innocent blood before without a thought. He had nothing to do with the Jewish faith or their teachings of a Messiah. Still, there were the tortuous dreams of his wife who warned him “to have nothing to do with this innocent man.” Maybe, since Jesus was from Galilee, he could send him off to King Herod Antipas instead. “Let Herod determine the fate of Jesus” Pilate thought. Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great (the one who feared that Jesus was the awaited Messiah and had all the male babies slaughtered surrounding Bethlehem). Herod Antipas was the one who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist.
Herod was fascinated by Jesus and wanted to have Jesus perform a miracle for his own entertainment. When Jesus stood silent and did not “perform” for him, Herod cloaked him in robes and sent him back for the soldiers to beat, mock and torture. With that, he declared to Pilate that it would be Pilate’s problem. Herod saw Jesus as some powerless peasant, incapable of any significant problem. In fact, Herod thought it impossible that Jesus could be “guilty of what these foolish priests and scribes accused Him of.”
So, once more; Jesus was returned to Pilate. Pilate went back and forth from the hall of judgment to the crowd. Repeatedly, he tells the crowd that he could not find anything for which to condemn Jesus. In fact, Pilate lead Jesus before the crowd beaten, frail, humiliated with a crown of thorns upon His head. Perhaps, if the people looked upon Jesus in such a humbled state, they would have pity on Him. Ah, but the crowd screamed the louder, “Crucify Him!!” Pilate gave them a choice. Shall I free Barabbas—a known murderer, robber or Jesus. Jesus had fed the 5000, healed the lame, spoke of love, cared for the sick, raised Lazarus from the dead, and had spoken of peace, joy and fellowship with God. Still the people cried the more, “Crucify Him.”
Again, Pilate questions Jesus. “What is truth? What have you done that the crowd accuses you so and calls for your death? Are you a King?” “My Kingdom is not of this world,” came the reply of Jesus. “Then from where do you come,” later came the question. When Jesus did not answer, Pilate urged, “Don’t you know I have the power to either crucify you or to release you?” Jesus looked up, blood pouring down his face—arms chained behind his back, blood dripping from the wounds where He had been beaten, and calmly, firmly says; “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11 NKJV).
THE AGONY OF INDECISION
Pilate wanted to release Jesus. He wanted to believe that Jesus really was the King of the Jews. In all the years, he had been governor there had never been a prisoner who touched his heart like Jesus did. Ah, but then the crowd began to say, “We will tell Caesar that you are a traitor to him!! These Jewish scribes, chief priests and Pharisees then declared their loyalty to a pagan King and said, “We have no king but Caesar.” Pilate gave in to the crowd, washed his hands (as if he could wash away his guilt) and ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.
FOUR POSITIONS CONCERNING CHRIST
Within the scripture account of the trial of Jesus we see 4 major positions concerning Jesus. Every person on earth, must decide which position is theirs. “What in the world will you do with Jesus?” Which will be your choice?
1. THE CAREFREE MOCKERS. There are many who live their lives carefree. Perhaps if Jesus could do something to entertain them or to make them laugh, they might take a moment to hear His name. They go on about their life, content with their own self-centered egos. They mock at the very idea of those “Jesus Freaks.” Life is what you make it yourself. These are probably the majority—who don’t care and don’t want to be bothered by such “trivialities”.
2. THE INDECISIVES. Like Pilate, these may believe something about Jesus. The mention of His name may seem sweet. They may even say that “Jesus is King of the Jews”; but, when the crowd surrounds them, they succumb to the crowds demands. After all, I don’t want to be different. I want to be respected by “my friends.” They might feel an urge to believe; but, they walk away.
3. THE RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS. There are those who take on “religion;” but, have no true knowledge of Jesus as their Savior. They may be in other faiths; but, all too often are sitting next to us in church. Many are filled with their own “self-righteousness” and know nothing about the true Gospel story of Grace. Paul warns us of these in 2 Timothy 3:2-7. “2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, …3 unloving, unforgiving,… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (NKJV).
4. THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS. Then there are those who have been amazed by Grace. They realize that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God who bore all their sin upon the cross; so that they might be saved. They see Him as Glorious, high and lifted up. His love for them is greater than any love they could have imagined. He is their greatest treasure and just to know Him, fills their heart with Joy. He is their King, their Lord, their friend and their brother because of Grace and Grace Alone. They are so amazed by His Love and His Grace, that they would follow Him where ever He leads. They may stumble along the journey. They may suffer hardships and trials at times. Still they trust Him with all their heart to finish the work He began in them.
So, my question is in which of the 4 groups are you? [bctt tweet=”The most important question you can ask is: “What in the world will you do with Jesus?””]
If you have questions on how to be saved, feel free to write me, seek a pastor or go to my “How to be saved page”
The Song I chose for you today is “What Will You Do With Jesus?”
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New King James Version(NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.