Perhaps we all feel more or less a certain satisfaction that we have not, as Pilate had, to make that terrible decision which, with the limited knowledge of that day, we might have made as he did. Nevertheless, this question which Pilate asked, and which he answered so fatally, is a question which we have every one of us, still to answer. It is far more awful for us than it was for Pilate. We have to answer it with a full knowledge of what Jesus was and is. We have to answer it, aided by the light of centuries streaming upon that Divine face. So long as Christ is popular, so long as being with Him means going on safely with a rejoicing, happy multitude, there is no doubt or difficulty as to what we will do with Christ. We will gladly follow Him. But oh! brothers, there come awful moments in every experience-the Passion Week of each life-when the Christ stands pleading before your soul. A wild, frenzied mob of passions, prejudices, indulgences, sins, raise their murderous clamour, and demand that we shall give Him up; that we shall take into our favour some other popular idol, and each of us has then to answer the question, “What shall I do then with Jesus?” (T. T. Shore, M. A.)
Our treatment of Jesus
Thisis no dried or withered question, but one that throbs with warm and quick pulses in the heart of each one. We must do something with Jesus. He is here. What shall it be?
I. You can let Him stand without a word of recognition. But surely your sense of common courtesy will not allow that.
II. You can thrust Him back from your heart, and tell Him to stand aside. But surely you will not. Even Pilate treated Him better than that.
III. You can look on Him merely as an optician to help blind eyes, or an aurist to retune deaf ears, a friend, a good friend, a helpful companion, a cheerful passenger on shipboard. Yet what good will all that do you? Surely He is something more.
IV. You can take Him into your heart. That is the best thing you can do with Him, and the only safe thing. Trust Him. Love Him. What more could He do, than He has done, for you? (T. de Witt Talmage, D. D.)
The changed question
Thequestion will, after a while, change, and it will not be any longer, “What shall we do with Jesus?” but “What will Jesus do with us?” Ring all the bells of eternity at the burning of a world! On that day, what do you think Christ will do with us? Why, He will say, “There is that man whom I called, that woman whose soul I importuned; but they would not any of My ways. I gave them innumerable opportunities of salvation. They rejected them all. Depart. I never knew you!” Blessed be God, that day has not come. Halt, ye destinies of eternity, and give one more chance! (T. de Witt Talmage, D. D.)
What shall we do with Jesus?
I. Some kind of answer must be given to this question.
1. It cannot be evaded. You must answer it.
2. Jesus Christ is offered to you as a means of salvation, etc., and you are free to accept or reject; but one of these two things you must do.
3. We know how Pilate answered this question.
4. This is the great question of the age.
5. It is a personal question.
II. Consider some of the answers that have been given to this question.
1. Some answer it by placing themselves in direct opposition to Christ, they give it a bold negative, they deny His Divinity, His gospel, and His claims.
2. Others give an answer that seems more respectful: they say, “Probably His claims are well founded; but association with Him would involve separation from friends and pursuits we love-we will do without Him,” etc.
3. Others give a somewhat imposing reply, but think they need not be too intimate with Him, etc.
4. Others admit His claims but delay their decision.
5. Others accept Him as their Guide and Saviour, etc.
III. The answer God expects us to give. Welcome Him to our hearts. Love Him supremely. Obey Him fully. Serve Him faithfully and constantly. (S. Smith.)
What will you do with Jesus?-I
remember a young man in New York city, whose father I knew. He was a great prodigal, and had broken his mother’s heart, and brought her down to the grave in sorrow. Every night he was out carousing with boon companions. The father’s heart was just broken too, and one night a few weeks after the mother’s death the young man was just starting out; the old man said, “My son, I want one favour of you. I would like you to stay at home and spend one night with me.” The young man said he did not want to stay, it was so gloomy. “But,” said the father, “will you not stay and gratify your aged father? You know your conduct killed your poor mother. My boy, won’t you say?” The old man pleaded with him, and just begged him to stay, but the boy said, “No, I am not going to stay at home.” The old father put forth one more effort to save his prodigal boy, and he threw himself down before him in the hall. What did that boy do? He just leaped over the body, and went out to join his comrades. There is not one of you but would say, “That was an ungrateful wretch, not fit to live.” Ah, sinner, what would you do with Christ in such a case? Why, many of you, I believe, if He were to throw Himself down before you and plead with you, you would step right over Him. And now, sinner, what will you do with Christ? Will you send back the insulting message that you do not want Christ to rule over you. Oh, may God forbid it, and this very night may there be hundreds who shall receive Him. (D. L. Moody)
