YOUR ANSWER, PLEASE

Matthew 27:22 KJV 1900

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?

Some examination papers were stolen from a university the day before examinations were to begin. It is, of course, helpful to know the questions beforehand, but it is more important to know the answers.

Our text contains life’s most important question.

It was asked at a very serious sober time.

Jesus was on trial.

Pilate had the power to set him free, but he was “a wooden brace painted to look like steel.” He was in trouble with the governmental authorities in Rome; he was out of favor. He tried to save Jesus but his hands were tied. He put the burden and responsibility on the crowd and asked them to decide Jesus’ fate.

The same question comes to all men everywhere as they hear the gospel preached.

1. The question was asked of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus.

2. It was asked of Saul of Tarsus and of John Bunyan.

It is asked of you and of me.

There are three possible answers, but only one is correct.

I will ignore Him

This is a common answer to the challenge “What shall I do with Jesus?”

No intelligent person would dare to ignore Napoleon or Marx or any other figure of history.

Yet Christ was an historical figure.

How can Jesus be ignored when we consider

(1) His claims.

Think of His seven “I AMs”

(such as bread that nourishes, light that dispels, shepherd who leads, door to a new life).

No other figure could claim as much (if they tried they would be locked up as mad). Napoleon could claim military genius; Nelson, great seamanship; Beethoven, magnificent music; and Shakespeare, notable plays.

But Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last.

(2) His influence.

The world is different because Jesus lived in a way that no other figure of history could have, and because of this He changed the world.

Other men’s influence died out after their death; Jesus Christ’s influence has become greater after Calvary.

The translation and distribution of the Scriptures; the spread of the Christian church throughout the world; the building of hospitals and orphanages, these and much more owe all to the fact that Jesus lived on this earth.

He cannot be ignored.

II. I will reject Him

Reject His claims (thereby making Him out to be an imposter); reject His influences (making Him out to be a charletan)—if you are doing that, you are repeating the false answer given by many just before He died. Those who rejected His claim to be the Son of God able to forgive sin, were the very ones who shouted, “Let Him be crucified.” By making this your answer you are siding with the scribes and Pharisees, the false witnesses, the frenzied crowd. You are rejecting Him as a person and all the miracles He performed and wonderful words He proclaimed (“Never man spake as this man”).

If you continue to reject Him, one day He will reject you: “He that denieth me, him will I deny.” “Depart from me ye cursed I know you not.” The question then will be changed—“Someday your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?” ”

III. I will accept Him

This means more than accepting His claims and influences. It means accepting Him as a Person with all He came to do for guilty sinners. It means accepting the eternal life He came to give in response to our repentance and faith.

How do you accept Him? I’m not asking you to accept religion—it was the religionists who crucified Him. I’m asking you to accept Him.

A young boy came home from Sunday school and told his father that he had been asked to let Jesus into his heart. “And what did you say, son?” “Well, dad, I didn’t give Him a definite answer.” That is the tragedy of so many—no definite answer to this vital, personal question that will change all things in time and eternity.

Remember who He is: “Jesus which is called Christ.” Christ, that is Messiah, God’s Anointed One, God’s own Deliverer and Savior for the world. Not a mere teacher or good example to follow—no, He is the divine Son of God, the Savior of the world Accept Him now “Jesus is standing on trial still—

What will you do with Jesus?

Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?

Or will you choose Him, whate’er betide?

Jesus, I give Thee my heart to-day!

Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way,

Gladly obeying Thee! Will you say

This will I do with Jesus”?