What Will I Do with Jesus? [Devotion]

By: Dr Eliezer Gonzalez

“What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. (Mark 15:12, NIV)

The crowd asked Pilate to release Barabbas to them instead of Jesus.

This didn’t help Pilate with the problem of what to do with Jesus, and so he asked the crowd.

Pilate was still desperately trying to save Jesus. He was continually throwing the issue back to the people. He didn’t want to deal with it. But he had to. The crowd shockingly chose Barabbas, Pilate seemed well and truly cornered.

Pilate asked the most important question, “What shall I do with Jesus?” But he asked the wrong people! He asked the crowd, when it is a question that he should have answered only by listening to his conscience and no-one else.

The other striking thing about this question is that the answer centres on the issues of life or death. It is either crucify Christ or let him live. A half-hearted answer is not enough.

Put yourself in Pilate’s shoes. The last thing he needed was a riot during Passover. He needed to keep the Jews happy. His career and reputation were on the line. From a worldly point of view, he had no choice.

The crowd will always crucify Jesus. Never rely on the crowd for advice about how to live or how to believe. And you should never ask the crowd what you should do with Jesus!

The question Pilate asked is the most important question we will ever face. It is a question that no one who has ever lived can avoid answering.

Reflection: What should you do with Jesus? What will be your answer?