Governor Pontius Pilate asked this question in Matthew 27:22. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. There are many questions in life that one must answer, but the answer I give to this one question carries with it, eternal implications. “What shall I do with Jesus?”. What determines my answer is the attitude I have toward and about Jesus. This is clearly evident as we read the surrounding text (Matt. 27:15-26). We see three people or groups of people in this text: The chief priests and elders, the mob and Pilate. All three gave basically the same answer, albeit for different reasons.

As we look at the text we learn that the chief Priests and elders wanted Jesus crucified because of envy. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. (Matthew 27:15-18). Jesus did not teach as did they did. He taught with authority and because of this, great crowds followed Him (Matt. 7:29, 8:1). The chief Priests and elders were envious of Jesus' authority and popularity.

Jesus' authority commands our loyalty and obedience. There are many today who want Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord (Acts 2:36, Luke 6:46). Man wants “self” as lord. He wants to steer his own course and make his own rules. Paul says they did not like to retain God in their knowledge (Rom. 1:28. Just as the chief Priests and scribes of Jesus' day, many are envious of Jesus' authority over their lives and therefore cry out, metaphorically, “let Him be crucified.”

The mob answered “crucify Him” because they were easily swayed and influenced by their religious leaders. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. (Matt. 27:20-23). We must understand that being a disciple of Christ is not going to put us into favor with the majority of people in society. Jesus makes this clear in Matt. 7:13-14 and 10:22. Following Christ means being different, distinctive, set apart and peculiar (2 Cor. 6:17). In my experience, I have found that folks hate being different and distinctive more than almost anything else. Our tendency is to want to fit in and be like everyone else. Will you say, “crucify Him” because society had influenced you to want to “fit in”?

Pilate gave his answer because he was basically indifferent to Christ (Matt. 27:19-24). He had worldly ambitions that crowded out any interest in his soul (v.24). He saw Jesus as simply a passing curiosity and nothing more. He arrogantly and smugly asked “what is truth?” (John 18:38) while truth in the flesh stood before him. He had no problem crucifying Christ because he did not take the time to think serious about Christ. He was too busy with other things and other interests. We must be careful to not become entangled in the affairs of this world. Jesus points out this danger in the parable of the soils. He says “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22). We must also guard against constant religious curiosities that prevent us from making a firm commitment to Christ. This was the problem with the Greeks in Athens who thought they were smarter than everyone else. Luke tells us “For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.” (Acts 17:21).

All three gave the same answer, but for different reasons. The chief Priests and scribes said “crucify Him” because of envy, the mob because they were easily influenced and Pilate because he was indifferent. Now we come to you and me. What answer will we give. What shall I do with Jesus? Let us Love Him, serve Him and give ourselves wholly to Him. He has given His life for me can I do any less for Him?