Matt. 27:11-17 & 21-24.
Pilate asks in vs. 22 -- “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
The question -- “What shall I do with Jesus?” -- is a very personal question that every one of us most come face-to-face with at sometime -- at some point -- during our life time!
It is the most fundamental of all questions we will face in our life time.
Ask yourself that question right now!
Answer that question for yourself!
The basic question in the Christian faith is who is Jesus?
He is a great man -- a great teacher -- & a great prophet -- but He is also the divine Son of God -- the Savior of the world!
This fact brings us face-to-face with the same question that Pontius Pilate asked 2,000 yrs. ago: -- “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
My friends -- if Jesus Christ is truly the Savior -- then our response to Him as a Person -- is a matter of life & death!
Let’s take a moment to recall the context in which this all important question was asked!
This is one of the most dramatic episodes in the life of Jesus.
It is filled with intense action -- & deep emotion.
Here stands Jesus on trial before the Roman governor -- Pilate.
What a scene of contrasts! --
Pilate is probably seated on a marble throne -- surrounded by his personal bodyguard -- in a beautiful hall gleaming with the glory of Roman architecture.
Before him stands Jesus -- the sinless Son of God -- dressed in a common robe -- but neat & immaculate.
There is a dignity & radiance about Jesus -- that commands the attention & respect of all -- in spite of His enemies’ deep hatred for Him.
At the height of the excitement -- when the tension is greatest -- Pilate suddenly raises his hand & quiets the crowd.
Then amid a deathly silence -- he asks this momentous question: --“What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
Jesus’ accusers cry out endlessly at the top of their voices, “Away with Him! -- Crucify Him -- crucify Him!”
This scene has been reenacted down through the centuries in the lives of untold millions of individuals.
Jesus has been on trial before men -- woman -- boys -- & girls.
And He’s on trial today!
You are in Pilate’s chair today -- wearing the garments of sin & self-righteousness.
Jesus -- the spotless Son of God -- stands before you wearing the garments of mercy & compassionate love.
The world around us cries out: Away with him! - Crucify him - crucify him
The decision lies with you! -- Jesus is on your hands!
You are asking the question: “What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
You -- you have the power to reject Him -- or accept Him!
All eternity depends upon how you answer; -- how you respond.
Please notice with me today three things about this all important question: --
1. It is a Personal Question! -- What must I do?
Pilate tried to shift the responsibility to the mob.
When he found he couldn’t change the mind of the people -- he had his servants bring in a basin of water -- & he washed his hands before them all -- saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.”
But he failed to realize that the blood of a rejected Christ goes deeper than the power of water to cleanse.
He washed his hands with water -- but his heart was still unclean.
Pilate was just as guilty of the death of Jesus Christ -- as was the Jewish mob.
He could have broken up the whole affair -- & saved Jesus from death.
The mock trial was illegal; -- the witnesses were false; -- & the Prisoner was innocent.
With one word -- Pilate could have dismissed the trial -- but he gave Jesus up to the mob -- & thereby became a co-conspirator in the Crucifixion.
Many people today are trying to shift the burden of responsibility onto someone else.
Many people say -- “Everyone else is doing it; -- why not me?”
But even if every one else in your family -- in your school -- in your work place -- in your neighborhood -- rejected JESUS CHRIST -- you would still be responsible -- for what you personally do with Him! -- with JESUS CHRIST.
Some people might say -- “If my husband -- my wife -- my parents -- my friends accept JESUS CHRIST -- then so will I.”
But still you cannot escape the responsibility!
This is a personal question -- demanding a personal answer.
No one can answer this question for you; -- you must do it yourself.
You can either reject Him -- or accept Him -- there is no middle ground.
2. It is a Pressing Question! -- “What must I do?”
Pilate had to make an immediate decision.
He couldn’t wait & ponder the matter. -- Jesus was on his hands.
The people demanded an immediate answer.
Something had to be done then & there.
And so Pilate made his decision.
This question demands an immediate answer of you today.
To try to postpone the decision is merely to make a decision against Christ -- for there is no middle ground. -- It is either for -- or against.
Again -- to postpone the decision only makes an affirmative decision in the future more difficult.
Every time you do this -- you are establishing a set of mind -- an attitude of the soul -- that makes future rejection more certain.
3. It is a Paramount Question!
Pilate washed his hands & thought the whole affair was closed.
But nothing could erase the guilt of his heart. -- He had crucified Christ!
He had set the course of his life; -- he had settled the destiny of his soul.
History tells us that Pilate came to a tragic end; -- that he took his own life to “end it all.”
The end of life of any person who rejects JESUS CHRIST is always tragic!
Everything depends on the decision you make.
If you reject Christ -- if you crucify Him afresh -- your life will be w/o purpose -- w/o peace & joy -- w/o victory.
If you accept Him as your Savior -- your life will be radiant -- joyous -- & triumphant.
Rejection means spiritual death! -- Acceptance means eternal life!
One of these days -- the scene will be changed.
JESUS CHRIST will be on the judgment throne -- wearing the royal robes of kingship.
You will be on trial before Him -- for the Bible says that “each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).
On that day the question will be -- “What will He do with me?”
And the answer will depend on the answer you give now to the question “What will I do with JESUS CHRIST?”
If you reject Him as Savior here - on that day He will have to say to you -- “I never knew you; - depart from Me.”
But if you accept Him as Savior here - on that day He will say -- “Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
JESUS CHRIST is on your hands! -- What will your decision be?
You can make one of three different responses to this question: --
1. You can try to put Him away!
Actually -- putting Christ away is impossible!
King Herod tried to kill the baby Jesus -- but he failed.
Satan tried it. -- He did his best to tempt & sidetrack Jesus - but he failed
The people tried it; -- they nailed Him to a cruel cross -- & laid Him in a tomb -- but death & the grave could not hold Him!
On the third day -- He arose from the tomb & was on their hands again!
We may try to put Him away -- but it is of no avail -- for Jesus is ever before us! -- He is inescapable!
2. You can try to put Him off!
Some people may try to put the Savior off; -- that is, they intend to make a decision in His favor someday -- but not today.
Like Felix -- the governor we read about in the Book of Acts -- they seek to put off the day of salvation to some more “convenient” day.
But this is exceedingly dangerous -- for the longer we delay -- the harder it becomes to accept the Savior.
Delay serves only to dampen our desire & harden our hearts!
John R. Mott -- the well-known lay evangelist for the YMCA -- once conducted a survey with an audience of 1,000 people.
He questioned them as to what period in their lives they received Christ as their personal Savior.
Below the age of 20 yrs. -- 548 people responded;
Between 20 & 30 yrs. of age -- 337 people responded;
Between 30 & 40 yrs. of age -- 76 people responded;
Between 40 & 50 yrs. of age -- 15 people responded;
Between 50 & 60 yrs. of age -- 3 people responded;
And over 70 yrs. of age -- only 1 person responded.
That says that more than half of the audience accepted Christ when they were under the age of 20.
The longer we wait -- the more difficult it becomes! -- because we harden our hearts over time.
My friends - this is the day of salvation; - don’t seek to put off the Savior!
Tomorrow may be too late!
3. You can try to put Him aside!
Some people try to take the name & teachings of Christ -- but not the Person of Christ Himself!
They admire the matchless teachings of Jesus -- & they want to put His principles into practice -- but they don’t want to receive Christ Himself into their hearts & lives!
This is an impossible position -- for no one can live the life of Christ -- w/o His presence & power!
It is only when He is living within us -- & working out His salvation through us -- that we can live up to the high standard He has placed before us.
The Christian faith is not merely a set of principles -- or a system of thought -- but a Person! -- It is what it is because He is who He is!
Christianity is not a religion; -- it is a relationship!
When you accept Christ as a person -- then you accept His commandments -- His teachings -- His example -- & all that is connected with Him!
4. So my friends -- Put Him On!
“Putting Christ on” -- is the Scriptural response to the big question -- “What shall I do with Jesus?”
The Apostle Paul admonishes us to -- “Put on the Lord JESUS CHRIST” -- by letting Him take control of your heart & life!
Believe in Him -- receive Him as your Lord & Savior -- & follow Him the rest of your life!
5. Put Him On -- & Put Him First!
Putting JESUS CHRIST first in your life is going a step further.
It is not enough to receive Christ as our Savior -- & seek to follow Him.
We must put Him first in our lives in all matters.
This is what Sanctification is all about!
Some people allow Christ to walk across the threshold of their heart’s door -- but they do not turn over all the rooms in the house to His control.
In just one or two matters -- they cling to their own desires & plans.
But Jesus asks that we make a complete sacrifice of all our talents -- our plans -- our possessions -- our wills -- & our bodies -- so that in all things He may have total control.
This is the key to a victorious & fruitful Christian life!
Surrender your all to JESUS CHRIST -- & make Him first in your heart & life!
Conclusion:
Jesus is on your hands today! -- You must come to a decision!
Don’t try to put Him away -- for that is impossible.
Don’t try to put Him off -- for that is dangerous.
Don’t try to put Him aside -- for that is foolish.
Put Him on -- in all His purity & love -- & put Him fist -- in every phase of your life!
Won’t you do it today? -- Won’t you do it right now?
Put Him on -- & put Him first!