When the Jewish religious leaders brought Jesus before Pilate, demanding that Jesus be executed, Pilate found no fault in Him. Not one sin. Not one wrong doing. Not one law broken. In that moment, Jesus’ earthly life was in Pilate’s hands. Pilate tried to weasel his way out of the situation through an annual custom where he would release a prisoner. He asked the crowd if they wanted him to release Jesus who was innocent of any wrong or Barabbas, a hardened criminal. The same crowd who just days before were laying palm branches and crying, “HOSANNA!” now cried out for the release of Barabbas. Pilate then asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
Every single one of us must answer this all important question. The answer we choose will determine our eternity. We can reject Him and live our own way or we can choose to surrender our lives to Him as our Savior. The time to answer the question for yourself is now. It’s a decision that must be made in this life. You can’t wait until after you die and then decide. None of know how long we have on this earth. Tomorrow could be too late. You are not even guaranteed the next breath. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.” If you haven’t answered question, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” for yourself yet, then let me ask you…what are you waiting for? What will you do with Jesus, who is called Christ?
For those of us who have chosen salvation, we too much answer the same question every day. As temptations come our way or when we feel God tugging at our heart to do something He’s calling us to do, we must answer the question – What will I do with Jesus right now in this moment? Will you seek Him to help overcome the temptation? Will you obey Him and answer the call?
Pilate, who was governor, should have done the right thing at the beginning and released Jesus. Instead, he persistently pleaded with the crowd who just kept getting louder and louder to the point that Pilate was afraid of a riot starting. At that point it was too late for him to do the right thing. He chose to appease the crowd and handed Jesus over to be crucified. The crowd intended a very big evil against Jesus who was without any sin or wrong, but what they intended for evil, God used for the good of all people everywhere for without the cross and death of Jesus, there could be no resurrection and salvation. We would have no hope of redemption and fellowship with God. There would be no eternal life in heaven. We’d all be doomed to eternity in hell. Pilate may have thought he was appeasing an angry crowd, but in reality he was setting into motion God’s plan of salvation for you and for me. He sent Jesus to cross – but Jesus willingly went to the cross. Why? Because, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish by have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
So let me ask you today – What will you do with Jesus, who is called the Christ?
#whatwillyoudowithJesus #nogreaterlove #whosoever
Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:
James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Meditate and apply:
Will you commit to praying with us in 2020 that God will revive His people, renew our faith, and redeem our land? We feel such an urgency and desperation for revival. If God is moving your heart for revival, write your revival prayer in the comments along with your state or country.
#revive #renew #redeem #revivalinAmerica #revivalin2020 #WCM