2004-04-07 - WWIDWJ?

WWIDJ Series, Part 1

Matthew 27:22 (NIV) "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.

This is Holy Week in the Christian church, the week leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross.

Before Jesus was crucified, Pilate asked one of the most important questions in the Bible. "What shall I do with Jesus?" It is one matter to ask, "What would Jesus do?" But it is an entirely different matter to ask ourselves,"What will I do with Jesus?" WWJD only deals with one side of the equation. We have to get on the other side and make a decision. What will YOU do with Jesus in your life?

Pilate gave the people a choice in Matthew 22:21. "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered."

So Barabbas was freed on that day. He was a notorious criminal in his day, a murderer, or in modern terms, a terrorist. He was an Osama Bin Laden. Barabbas was freed on that day. But he wasn't alone. You and I were freed on that day, too. We are the guilty ones; we are the Barabbases of our day. Our sins, no matter how small, are just as great as those of the worst person we can think of today. All sins are equal in God's eyes, from pride to murder. Jesus is the only innocent one. Jesus was held captive, but we are given the opportunity to be freed.

What did Jesus Do? He suffered and died in our place. What will you do with Jesus? That is the question for today. Will you accept His offer of mercy for your sins? Will you answer the question, "Yes?" "Maybe?" "Not now?" Or "No?"

Each answer to this question is a decision - the most important decision in our lives. The answer impacts us not only on this side of life, but for all of eternity on the other side as well. Any answer other than "yes, I will appropriate Jesus' decision to die for me to my life by accepting Him as my savior" - whether "maybe," 'not now" or "later" - is, in effect, 'no."

What will you do with Jesus?

Questions or Comments?
David Massey

david@e-devotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
http://www.e-devotionals.org

For info on my new book "What Now Lord?"
http://www.e-devotionals.org/book.htm