Matthew 7:13-14 says “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
__________
The situation faced by Pilate and that faced by every one of us, is after all, much the same: What shall we do with this person named Jesus? For us, as for Pilate, there is no escape from the dilemma; we cannot avoid making a decision of some sort. Pilate felt uneasy about Jesus. It was obvious that the religious leaders had delivered Him up out of envy, and that He had committed no crimes worthy of death. Also, there was a mysterious aura about this Man who conducted Himself with such calmness and authority, who made no answer to the false charges leveled against Him, and who spoke of a “kingdom not of this world”. And on top of all this, Pilate’s wife had received a distinct premonition to the effect that he should have nothing to do with Jesus.
Yet, despite his inward sense of the injustice and wrongness of it all, Pilate soon succumbed to the pressures of the mob and delivered up the holiest of all men to the shameful death of the cross. (Matthew 27:11-26; Luke 23:20; John 18:33-38). It would be my sincere prayer that those who read this who do not know Christ as Savior will turn from following in the steps of Pilate. Instead of seeking to crucify Jesus afresh in their own hearts and mind, they will acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior. My beloved, every person must ask the question, which is the title of a old hymn and this devotional entitled “What Will You Do With Jesus”
Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall,
Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
Hearken! What meaneth the sudden call?
What will you do with Jesus?
Refrain:
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking,
“What will He do with me?”
Jesus is standing on trial still,
You can be false to Him if you will,
You can be faithful through good or ill:
What will you do with Jesus?
Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?
Or will you choose Him, what’er betide?
Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:
What will you do with Jesus?
Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?
Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,
Daring for Jesus to live or die?
What will you do with Jesus?
“Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!
Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way,
Gladly obeying Thee!” will you say:
“This I will do with Jesus!”
__________
Further thoughts:
So, I ask again…what will you do with Jesus? He came, giving up glory in heaven to be born of a virgin. He lived a perfect, sinless life, thus fulfilling the law that we could not, and cannot, uphold. He performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead, walked on water, and proclaimed a message from God Himself. He died on the cross, bearing the wrath of God, to take away our sin and to offer, to those who believe, restoration and union with the Father.
He rose on the third day to give us hope and eternal life. He did all of this to show the mighty power and name of God Almighty. Scripture says that apart from Christ, there is no hope, and there is no way to heaven outside of Him. None whatsoever. If anyone has ever told you that life after your acceptance of Jesus Christ is easy, go back and tell them they’re a false prophet. Seriously. Jesus states that life will most likely be harder.
We will be treated like Jesus. In case you didn’t know….that’s not necessarily a good thing because the world will hate us as it did Him. The world may kill us, as they did Him. Our own family and friends may turn on us. But it is worth it, because we serve the Creator of the universe. It’s worth it, because His love for us, and the hope we have in our Savior can never be taken away by anything this world can throw our way. It will, again, be worth it to hear Jesus say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” We must remember that:
(1) Not all roads lead to God, as many people claim.
(2) But, there’s only one true road and way to God; Christ Jesus is His name.
__________
Faith is not just believing that Jesus can save; it’s asking Him to do it.
__________
The situation faced by Pilate and that faced by every one of us, is after all, much the same: What shall we do with this person named Jesus? For us, as for Pilate, there is no escape from the dilemma; we cannot avoid making a decision of some sort. Pilate felt uneasy about Jesus. It was obvious that the religious leaders had delivered Him up out of envy, and that He had committed no crimes worthy of death. Also, there was a mysterious aura about this Man who conducted Himself with such calmness and authority, who made no answer to the false charges leveled against Him, and who spoke of a “kingdom not of this world”. And on top of all this, Pilate’s wife had received a distinct premonition to the effect that he should have nothing to do with Jesus.
Yet, despite his inward sense of the injustice and wrongness of it all, Pilate soon succumbed to the pressures of the mob and delivered up the holiest of all men to the shameful death of the cross. (Matthew 27:11-26; Luke 23:20; John 18:33-38). It would be my sincere prayer that those who read this who do not know Christ as Savior will turn from following in the steps of Pilate. Instead of seeking to crucify Jesus afresh in their own hearts and mind, they will acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior. My beloved, every person must ask the question, which is the title of a old hymn and this devotional entitled “What Will You Do With Jesus”
Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall,
Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
Hearken! What meaneth the sudden call?
What will you do with Jesus?
Refrain:
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking,
“What will He do with me?”
Jesus is standing on trial still,
You can be false to Him if you will,
You can be faithful through good or ill:
What will you do with Jesus?
Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?
Or will you choose Him, what’er betide?
Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:
What will you do with Jesus?
Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?
Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,
Daring for Jesus to live or die?
What will you do with Jesus?
“Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!
Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way,
Gladly obeying Thee!” will you say:
“This I will do with Jesus!”
__________
Further thoughts:
So, I ask again…what will you do with Jesus? He came, giving up glory in heaven to be born of a virgin. He lived a perfect, sinless life, thus fulfilling the law that we could not, and cannot, uphold. He performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead, walked on water, and proclaimed a message from God Himself. He died on the cross, bearing the wrath of God, to take away our sin and to offer, to those who believe, restoration and union with the Father.
He rose on the third day to give us hope and eternal life. He did all of this to show the mighty power and name of God Almighty. Scripture says that apart from Christ, there is no hope, and there is no way to heaven outside of Him. None whatsoever. If anyone has ever told you that life after your acceptance of Jesus Christ is easy, go back and tell them they’re a false prophet. Seriously. Jesus states that life will most likely be harder.
We will be treated like Jesus. In case you didn’t know….that’s not necessarily a good thing because the world will hate us as it did Him. The world may kill us, as they did Him. Our own family and friends may turn on us. But it is worth it, because we serve the Creator of the universe. It’s worth it, because His love for us, and the hope we have in our Savior can never be taken away by anything this world can throw our way. It will, again, be worth it to hear Jesus say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” We must remember that:
(1) Not all roads lead to God, as many people claim.
(2) But, there’s only one true road and way to God; Christ Jesus is His name.
__________
Faith is not just believing that Jesus can save; it’s asking Him to do it.