THE CRUCIAL QUESTION

 "Pilate spoke again to the crowd, “What, then, do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?”  They shouted back, “Crucify him!”  “But what crime has he committed?” Pilate asked. They shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” - Mark 15:12‭-‬14 (GNT)

Barabbas - a troublemaker, thief and murderer was arrested and convicted for the atrocities he had committed in Jerusalem. At about the same time, Jesus was also arrested and charged for treason. The penalty for these two offenses was death by crucifixion. Although, Barabbas deserved every bit of the pain and humiliation he was going to get on the cross. His demise would have brought great relief to everyone in Jerusalem and no one would have missed him. However, Jesus has never committed any offence.

While attempting to release one prisoner during the feast of passover, Pilate asked a crucial question:- "What will you do with Jesus" (Mark 15:12). He was expecting them to say "release him". Unfortunately, the crowd's response  was very strange and  disappointing. The crowd yelled "Crucify him!". They choose Barabbas and rejected Jesus. Yes, the crowd embraced Barabbas - the wicked man and turned their back on Jesus - the righteous one. Pilate was totally confused and asked, "Why, what crime has he committed?" But they all shouted louder, "Crucify him." Jesus was whipped, spat on, mocked, and turned over to be crucified. 

Beloved, that crucial question that Pilate asked over 2000 years ago is still very relevant in our generation. God is still asking: "what will you do with Jesus". Will you reject Him and choose Barabbas? Will you join the mixed multitude to crucify Him? Will you betray Him with a kiss like Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:47-48)? Will you forsake and deny Him like Peter (Matthew 26:69-75)? Or will you surrender to Him and advertise Him like the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:28-29)? Will you release your boat to Him like Peter (Luke 5:3)? Will you release your home to Him as an house fellowship centre like Mr & Mrs Aquila (1 Corinthians 16:19)? Hope you will respond wisely!

The chorus of one special hymn that re-echoes that crucial question God is asking us everyday is titled "What will you do with Jesus?" Your answer to this crucial question will determine whether you will spend your eternity in heaven or hell. Please respond wisely today by choosing Jesus so that you will not end your journey in hell.  

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS? By Albert B. Simpson (1905)

Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall--

Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;

Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call!

What will you do with Jesus? 

Chorus:

    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 thro' good or ill:

What will you do with Jesus?

Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?

Or will you choose Him, whate’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!”

After celebrating the resurrection of Christ, may we never crucify Him again with our words, actions and dispositions till we see Him in glory.

Good day and God bless. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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