What Shall I Do with Jesus?

Introduction

When is the last time that you had to make a decision? Was it an easy decision such as, what am I going to eat for breakfast? Or was it a more serious decision, such as what am I going to do with my life?

Obviously, we make simple decisions all the time. Some are easier than others. The more complicated decisions come less frequently, but we all still make them.

Fundamental to all the decisions that we make is the question that Pilate asked the people in Jerusalem. “What shall I do with Jesus?”

As we consider the context, we find that the question was addressed to the Jewish leaders and people. We will consider how these answered the question. It’s a question that every person who ever lives must answer.

Too often the question is considered too lightly. That was the problem that those considering the question that day experienced. They did not know the full impact of the question. To them, Jesus was just in the way. He was a problem that needed to be removed. That’s why they said to crucify Him.

Every one of you are answering this question right now. What are you doing with Jesus? Are you taking the question too lightly? Or do you see the question for what it is? It is a question that affects eternity for you.

Let’s consider the question and the effects for the various groups of people. Let’s begin with…

I. How did Pilate Respond to this question?

Pilate responded like many folks. He tried to pass the buck. He pretended as though someone else could make this decision and get him off the hook. Scripture records that even his wife came and warned him about deciding what to do with Jesus, but he didn’t listen.

After having made the decision, yes, he made the decision, he washed his hands as though that would absolve him of all guilt in the decision that he made. He acted as though the decision wasn’t really his to make. He was only responding to the situation facing him. He really didn’t have a choice.

Many people today fall into this category. They want to pass the decision off to someone else and then blame them for their decisions.

For example, this is the person who says, I am not a Christian because there are too many hypocrites in the church. I don’t want to be a part of that crowd.

II. How did the people respond to this question?

The people, much like, Pilate put the decision off on someone else. They turned to the so-called religious leaders of their day who gave them the answer that they took up. “Crucify Him” seemed like a little thing to say. After all, that’s what their “religious leaders” were telling them. They were just doing what they were told.

Many people today are being led astray by cults and false teachers because they are unwilling to consider the question seriously for themselves. They will look to anyone who sounds authoritative or, more to the point, tell them what they want to hear.

This is evident both in the church and outside. People want to listen to anyone who will “tickle” their ears. That means they listen to anyone who tells them what they want to hear. Just like the people in Jerusalem, too many people today are doing the same thing. They act as though it’s not their fault.

III. How did the Religious leaders respond to this question?

The Pharisees, who had to have Jesus crucified to cover themselves and get Him out of their way, told the people to crucify Jesus. They had already rejected Him. They chose to drag the people with them.

Many “leaders” today have already rejected Jesus and are leading others astray because they are in positions of influence. They may be church leaders or in some other position of influence. But they are still leading people away from Christ.

These folks also have chosen that they want their way rather than the way of the cross. Many people today fall into this category because the decision they have made is to have things their way, not God’s way.

These people may or may not be church leaders. They may be regular church members. They may be your next-door neighbor. Who they are isn’t what matters. What matters is that they are more interested in themselves and what they want than they are in Jesus.

IV. How did Felix respond to this question?

This question would come some time after the crowds shouted “Crucify Him” as they made their decision to reject Jesus. In the time since that up to this event, many people were making the right decision. For example, when Peter preached in Jerusalem, 3,000 people responded by accepting Jesus.

The young man Saul would who first rejected Jesus would turn away from his rejection to seeking and following Christ. Saul, now Paul, is who Felix would call for. Note what the Scripture tells us…

Acts 24:24-25 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Acts 24:24–25 NKJV

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Of the groups considered thus far, Felix came the closest to the right answer. He listened to what Paul had to say and gave it serious consideration.

Nevertheless, when it was all said and done, he still rejected Christ.

This is perhaps one of the most common responses to the question. This is the person, who like Felix will say, almost you have persuaded me to accept Christ. But, I still have some things that I want to do. When I’ve done that, then I’ll accept Christ. I am not rejecting Him, just postponing the decision.

The problem with this is that if you do not accept Christ when presented with the question, you reject Him. By postponing the decision, you are in essence rejecting the Christ. With this rejection is also the concern that this may be your last opportunity. We never hear of Felix again.

V. How did Paul respond to this question?

Finally, we have the Apostle Paul. How did he respond to the question?

Now, Paul is interesting because at first, he persecuted the church. Why did he do this? Was it because he was rejecting Christ? Or is it because he like the people had been led astray?

Paul had been taught the old testament. He knew what law predicted, but he did not see clearly for himself until he was personally confronted on the road to Damascus found in Acts chapter 9. He then had to make a decision. What would he do with Jesus who is the Christ?

For Paul, the answer was fairly simple. It was total and complete surrender and dedication to the Christ that he had been persecuting.

VI. How do you respond to the question?

Perhaps the most important person to look at right now is yourself. How do you respond to the question, what shall I do with Christ?

Remember, this is a question that carries eternal consequences. It’s not a simple question to answer lightly and without consideration. It’s also a question that you must answer daily.

Conclusion:

The question is before you now.

What shall I do with Jesus?

Are you answering the question like Pilate? Are you looking for someone else to tell you what to do so you can blame them?

Are you with the crowd and doing what everyone else is doing? Are you doing what you’re told without considering it for yourself?

Are you with the leaders, the ones who are doing what they want because they think it makes them happy? Are you rejecting Jesus because you aren’t willing to surrender to Him?

Are you like Felix? You’ve heard the message of Christ preached and seen it lived out. You’re almost persuaded, but not quite. You just can’t bring yourself to surrender all to Jesus.

Are you a Paul? Perhaps you began by rejecting Christ and living for yourself. Maybe you thought you were living for Christ because you were following the instruction of others. Then, one day, you met Christ. When you did, you realized you were on the wrong road and changed course. You answered the question by surrendering to Christ.

What are you doing with Jesus?