What Will You Do With Jesus, Who Is Called Christ?

Eastford Baptist Church

August 17, 2006

“What Will You Do With Jesus, Who Is Called Christ?”

“Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you; Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowed to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!” (Matt. 27:15-22)

SO WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH JESUS? (Matt 27:22). That’s the question Pontius Pilate, the Roman official in charge of Judea, asked the crowd in front of him. Today we must all ask the same question. What are we going to do with this Jesus?

What do you do with a man who claims to be God?
What do you do with a man who calls himself the Savior?
What do you do with a man who says it is better by far to abandon all
earthly treasures so that we store up treasures in heaven?
What do you do with a man who says the first shall be last and the last
shall be first?
What do you do with a man who says that if you want to lead, you must first
be a servant to all?
What do you do with a man who says we are to go the second mile - that we are to love and pray for our enemies?
What do you do with a man that says we should expect persecution if we
choose to follow him? What do you do?
What do you do with a man who knows the place and time of his death, yet goes there anyway?
What do you do with a man who loves each of us so much that he would
willingly choose the cross?
What do you do with one who yearns for you to live in communion with him so
much that he would endure the betrayal, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the
mocking, the degradation, the taunting and the abandonment?
What do you do?
What do you do with one who leaves the adoration of angels so that he would
be spit upon by rebellious angry men?
What do you do with one whose hands molded the heavens themselves, and then
allowed spikes to be driven through them?
What do you do with one who watches you, even now as you are reading these words, and longs for you to know that it was all done for you personally? That it was all part of his plan to wipe away your every sin and grant you compete forgiveness though his death so that you can one day stand justified in front of Almighty God?
What do you do with a spotless innocent lamb that pays the penalty of every
guilty sinner who ever lived?
What do you do with the Holy One who becomes sin?
What do you do with one who is life itself but becomes death?

But then - what do you do when death once again becomes life?

What shall we do with Jesus?

You have 2 choices: You can reject him. 2000 years ago, many did – and many since then. You can decide that the idea of God coming to look for us – to die for us is too bizarre - and walk away. Pilate thought he could do just that. He thought he could avoid making a choice. He took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. (Matt 27:24). He attempted to climb up on the fence and sit there - Attempting to give the appearance of not rejecting him but not really accepting him either. But in not making a choice,

Pilate made his choice.

Or you can accept Him. You can receive Him, walk with Him and listen to His voice. You can experience His love and forgiveness. You can call him Savior, God and friend. You can see how he will giveyour life meaning and fill your heart with eternal hope.

You have a choice.What will you do with this One who is called Jesus?

Praying you are in His Grip, Pastor Tim