Jesus stood before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The ruler asked a question that all need to be concerned with answering, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) Pilate wanted to please the people and this he did by releasing to them one prisoner at that time each year. He hoped they would select Jesus, but to his surprise, they didn’t- they chose instead to release the murderer, Barabbas. Pilate’s question, however, is one that all mankind will answer at one point or another in their life. It is a universal question, one asked by all classes and all races. However, not all will ask it at the same time; others will ask it, but not answer it; and some will ask it too late and not have time to answer it correctly.
The choice
In Matthew 12:22-30, Pharisees are questioning the authority of Jesus to cast out demons. Some said that He was doing it by the authority of Satan. Jesus responds to that accusation by telling them that if He was doing it by the authority of Satan, then Satan was casting out his own and would be divided. In the end, Jesus makes this statement, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad,” (Matthew 12:30). Jesus says that when it comes to Him and to His authority there are only two choices. He says that either you are for Me or you are against Me. What shall I do with Jesus? We better all decide to stand on His side!
The Magnitude
The magnitude of who Jesus is must be taken into account. If Pilate and the Jews would truly have opened their hearts and minds to realize who Jesus was, this event would not have taken place. If all of us today would truly open our hearts and minds to truly realize who Jesus is, we would make the right choice when it comes to answering this question. Who is Jesus? A few observations:
He is man’s only savior.
In Matthew 1:21, the angel tells Joseph what to name his SonJesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Friend, when considering this all-important question, what will I do with Jesus, you better remember that this is the One who allows you to be saved!
He is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:1-6).
This means that without Him, we would have no way to approach the Father in prayer, as Paul discussed here in verses one and two. Specifically, without His death, we would have no way of removing our sins. He is our means of getting to the Father in this ultimate regard also (John 14:1-6).
He is our perfect example (1 Peter 2:21) He has left an example that we should follow in His steps. There is so much involved in this question; this question has to do with the soul, with judgment and with our eternity!
The Reversal
Pilate asked the question to the Jews with Jesus standing before him. One day, those roles will be reversed with all standing before the Judgment Seat of Jesus (Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Our eternal destination will ultimately be decided by how we answer the question, “What did I choose to do with Jesus who is called Christ?” We must choose Jesus and abide in His doctrine (2 John 9).
– Adam Orr
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