What Shall We Do With Jesus?

In the past year we saw the results of mindless mobs inciting mindless riots, rebellion, vandalism and violence. Unfortunately that happens when passion exceeds prudence, selfishness overrides self-control, and hatred outweighs honor.

It has happened in every generation. It happened in the days of Jesus. That’s what got the crowd to demand the release of a criminal and the crucifixion of the innocent. Having riled the crowds to a fever pitch, the religious leaders led the demand for the death of Jesus. Let’s check that event in the Bible.

“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’ For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.’ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. But the governor said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said, ‘Crucify Him!’” Matthew 27:15-22 (NASB).

It’s a good question: “What shall we do with Jesus?” That’s a question every one of us must answer. We can’t help answering it.

• We can answer it verbally by deliberately saying, “I accept Him” or “I reject Him.”

• We can answer it by the action of following, obeying and serving Him, thus saying, “I accept Him.”

• We can answer by inaction or neutrality (doing nothing for or against Him) which equals rejecting Him.

But what you will do for certain is either accept Him willingly or reject Him willfully or indifferently. To fail to positively and willingly acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior is to reject Him by default. There is no neutral ground. To decide not to decide for Him is to decide against Him.

But, what will we do with Jesus? Let me suggest appropriate options:

I. WE CAN CHOOSE HIM:

A. God has given us free-will. He has not branded us “saved” or “lost” apart from our personal choice to claim Him or to disdain Him.

B. God has always given people a choice in their relationship to Him and thus in regard to their eternal destiny.

1. God set a choice before the Hebrews, saying, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NASB).

2. Joshua issued this choice, “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 (NASB).

3. Elijah challenged the Hebrews and called for a choice, “‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word.” 1 Kings 18:21 (NASB). So he challenged them to a “duel by fire.” “My God can do anything your God can do.”

C. The challenge still stands: “Choose whom you will serve.”

1. Choosing Jesus is

a. More than a mere admiration of Him as a very fine fellow.

b. More than having fond or kind sentimental feelings for Him.

c. More than saying, “Of course I’m a Christian! I was born in America after all!”

d. More than just believing that He exists somewhere out there.

e. More than being a Fan of Jesus sitting around cheering Him on.

2. Choosing Jesus includes

a. Trusting Him, obeying Him and being a functioning member of His Body, the church.

b. Bearing a cross and following in His footsteps.

c. Valuing Him above anyone / anything else.

D. George Beverly Shea made this poem about choosing Jesus come to life when he put it to music and sang it: