What Am I To Do with Jesus?

Daily Reading: Mark 15

Scripture Focus: And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” (Mark 15.12)

Devotional Thought: Pilate was perplexed as to what he should do with this “religious criminal.”  He tried to release Jesus, for it just didn’t seem right to him that he should die over religious differences.  Not willing to anger his constituents, however, Pilate asked them the question, “What shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”

What a question.  What are we to do with this one who is called King of the Jews?  Well, what are our options?

We can condemn him as dangerous and irrelevant as did the temple leaders in Jesus’ day.  Or, we can go along with the crowd in rejecting him as Pilate did.  Another option would be to betray him as Judas did.  Still yet, we could deny that we know him as Peter did.

Or, we can choose the option chosen by the Apostle John and several women who were his followers: we can follow him in his suffering, somehow believing in him even when everything seems to be going against him.  This question is the most significant question any of us faces.  It is a question that lasts all our lives, for we are always choosing to follow Jesus.  What a privilege that is!  Every day you and I get to choose Jesus, knowing that he has chosen us. 

My wife and I have been married over 40 years.  We chose one another decades ago.  We are still choosing one another.  We choose to provide for, protect, cherish and be with one another.  Serving Jesus is like that.  And, just as in our marriages, every choice to bring happiness to our spouse, brings equal and greater happiness to us.

What shall you do with Jesus?

Prayer: "My Jesus, I love Thee!  I know Thou art mine.  For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.  My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou!  If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus 'tis now!"  Amen.  (William Featherstone)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 22.6-11

6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

8 "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.

10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.