Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:15-22

What Will You Do With Jesus?

(Part 1)

Intro.

1. Jesus was arrested by night and taken to Annas, Caiaphas, Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod, Pilate, Matt. 27:17-26.

2. Pilate: “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matt. 27:22)

a. What would we have said and done? Easy to say, “I would never forsake my Lord” (like Peter?), or “I would have cried for his release.” (We know the full story.)

b. All the apostles fled (Matt. 26:56).

3. We must answer this question. cf. What others did with Jesus.

I. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?

A. Judas Betrayed Jesus, Matt. 26:14-16.

1. An obvious example of unbelief, Jno. 6:64.

2. When he realized Jesus would be executed, all he could think to do was hang him, Matt. 27:3-5.

3. People still betray Jesus (deliver Him up):

a. Love money (greed), 1 Tim. 6:10.

b. Love the world, 2 Tim. 4:10 (1 Jno. 2:15).

c. To escape persecution, 2 Tim. 3:12.

B. Peter Denied Jesus, Matt. 26:69-75.

1. Deny: To disown and/or renounce, Matt. 10:33; 2 Tim. 2:12.

2. Denials still happen:

a. Peer pressure, Mk. 8:38.

b. Not fulfilling our Christian duties, 1 Tim. 5:8.

c. False teachers, 2 Pet. 2:1.

C. The Crowd Said Crucify Jesus, Matt. 27:22-23.

1. Despite many signs, Jno. 12:37-38.

a. They accepted responsibility, Matt. 27:25.

b. Held accountable for it, Acts 3:14-15; 7:52.

2. We “crucify” Jesus when we:

a. Fall away from the faith, Heb. 6:4-6.

b. Sin willfully, Heb. 10:26-29.

D. Pilate Wanted to be Neutral about Jesus, Matt. 27:23-24.

1. Saying we have no responsibility to Jesus doesn’t make it so.

2. He would not do what he knew was just, cf. Jas. 4:17.

3. No neutral ground, Matt. 12:30; Col. 1:13; 1 Jno. 1:6-7.

E. Saul Persecuted Jesus, Acts 9:1-5 (1 Tim. 1:13).

1. This was a totally futile effort (Acts 26:14).

2. One cannot mistreat God’s people and escape punishment (without repentance), 2 Pet. 2:9.

3. Careful how we treat each other, Matt. 25:40, 45.

F. Felix Postponed Jesus, Acts 24:24-25.

1. He seared his conscience toward God and truth.

2. Putting off obeying Jesus does not motivate urgency, 2 Cor. 6:2 (Heb. 3:7-8).

3. Have we joined Felix by saying we ought to be more active, etc., but keep looking for a more convenient time to do so?

G. Herod Agrippa was Almost Persuaded about Jesus, Acts 26:28.

1. He gave the gospel a respectful hearing, but would not be persuaded by it.

2. Some are always learning but never come to know (obey) the truth, 2 Tim. 3:7. Almost, but lost.

H. Many Would Be Persuaded, Acts 2:36-38, 41-42, 47.

1. They were convicted of their sins, 2:37.

a. Must be convicted to be saved from sins.

b. They wanted “remission of sins;” Do you?

2. They repented and were baptized, 2:38, 41.

3. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, 2:42.

Conclusion

1. What will you do with Jesus: Betray, deny, crucify, neutral, persecute, postpone, almost persuaded, be fully persuaded?

2. Part 2: What will Jesus do with you?

By: Joe R. Price

Posted March 2, 2021