Question of each Day

Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
They shouted back, “Crucify him!”        Matthew 27:22 (NLT)

Pilate may have been the first to ask the question but he wasn’t the last. It’s a question that I ask of myself. What should I do with the Messiah, this Jesus who is my Savior? Not shouting “Crucify him!” doesn’t mean that I do know what to do and then carry through with what I know.

Listen to Him. There is so much to learn from Jesus. Just pick a chapter in any of the gospels, have a seat in a quiet place and read (or listen) to Jesus’ words. It’s like the perfect nugget of wisdom. It’s like the perfect feast. I read a true story about American prisoners in North Vietnam during the war and how they began to put together Scriptures as they could remember passages. They would whisper the verses to each other throughout the night. It wasn’t just a mental exercise but they found such hope and courage in the words and in the sharing.

Follow Him. And then as I listen to Jesus and hear His testimony about the Father, I see His life here on earth well lived and I want to do the same. I want to serve others, magnify who the Father is through my life. I am not so good at that without spending time each day with Jesus and intentionally putting my feet right in His footprints. Keep it simple!

Worship Him. Paul says in Romans 12 to make my life a living sacrifice. This is my perfect worship of God. It is not the songs that I sing or how often and how long I sit inside a church but it is the sacrificial living that I do every day that brings the Father into the sight and understanding of others who either do not know Him at all or have been deceived. He is so tired of being misrepresented!!! The more time I spend with Jesus, listening to Him, following His example, and worshiping Him – the more likely that I will truly become His true ambassador.

Jesus will not live in a display case like a trophy or action figure. He does not want a “limited” relationship that is convenient and only on my terms. When I invited Jesus to be my life (not just a part of it), He will disrupt and bring me hard choices. Yes, His blessings are abundant and extravagant but they are also powerful and jealous. Jesus will not play “second fiddle” to some other top priority in my life.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt where you were slaves.
You must not have any other gods except me.
You must not make for yourselves an idol that looks like anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the water below the land. You must not worship or serve any idol, because I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”     Exodus 20:2-5 (NCV)

What am I going to do with Jesus in my life? My answer has forever changed my life. I invited Jesus into my life and told Him that He was welcome in every part of my life. He took me at my word. He continues to teach me and mold me into the child of God I was meant to be. He isn’t done yet! I began by touching just the hem of His garment and now my arms are around Him and I do not want to let go.

My Heart Will Trust in You sung by Hillsong Worship Team (2000)