What Shall I Do With Jesus?
Joe Slater
	Jesus was on trial before Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea. Pilate said repeatedly that Jesus had done nothing wrong, but he didn’t have the nerve to release Him. Finally Pilate demanded: “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22).
	What shall I do with Jesus? That’s a question each of us must answer. The angry mob responded: “Let Him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:22). Pilate himself was less radical; he decided simply to “wash his hands” of the whole unpleasant matter – pass the buck – let someone else take responsibility.
	Most people with  whom we deal today would probably be more like Pilate than like the mob. I know few people who actually hate Jesus, but plenty who just don’t want to take a stand. In an age where everyone is right and nobody is wrong, it’s hard to identify with Someone Who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Neutrality is in. About the only thing some folks will commit to is being uncommitted. People squirm uncomfortably when they hear, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
	What shall I do with Jesus? Rather than trust and obey, a later governor of Judea, Antonius Felix, opted to put it off. Felix had heard Paul “concerning the faith in Christ”; Paul had “reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” (Acts 24:24, 25). Despite being struck with fear, Felix told Paul, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you” (v. 25b). Procrastination is still a popular choice when people are confronted with the truth about Jesus. Like Pilate’s passing the buck, putting it off is just a way to avoid making a commitment. The trouble is, that “convenient time” Felix talked about just never seems to come. There is always a reason to put it off a bit longer. As far as we know, Felix never obeyed the gospel.
	What shall I do with Jesus? Believe that He is the Son of God and be baptized in obedience to His will! That is what the Ethiopian Queen’s treasurer did (Acts 8:36-38). This man didn’t try to evade his responsibility or put off his compliance. He promptly confessed his conviction that Jesus is the Son of God, and was baptized without delay. As a result, he “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).
	What will you do with Jesus?
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Prove It!
	The aim of Paul’s prayer (Philippians 1:9ff) is that these beloved brethren might be able to approve the things that are excellent. Some matters in life are more important than others! In the literature of the New Testament, the Christian is frequently admonished to approve, prove, or put to the test certain things. We must prove the sincerity of our love (2 Corinthians 8:8); we must prove our own selves, whether we be in the faith or not (2 Corinthians 13:5). Indeed, we must prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.
	-- Wayne Jackson (via Carolina Messenger)
Where Did The Time Go?
	Looking back over my life, I have to ask "How did I use the time allotted me?"  This is a question that we all face.  It is like the song, "The Class of 57 Had its Dreams."  We all had big dreams when we graduated.  The routine of everyday life caused most of us to postpone our dreams and eventually lay them aside.

	As followers of Christ, we have dreams.  Are we accomplishing them?  The question we need to face is, "How did we use our time?"  We live in a culture that promotes relaxation.   After all, we have 24/7 entertainment.  As someone said, "Are you frittering away day after day in the pursuit of silly little games?"

	I challenge each one of us to honestly examine how we use our time.  Do we devote every moment to work?  Do we devote a massive amount of time to a hobby?  Is our time being spent on entertainment--movies, TV, games, sports, or reading?  Our family is a great thing to spend our time on.  What kind of message am I sending to my children?  We call the people we attend church with family, and so they are.  We see them at assemblies and at special fellowship times.  Are we teaching that duty to physical family relieves us of duty to our spiritual family and the lost?

	Imagine the joy of the blessings that come from serving others, sharing the Gospel message, and at the end hearing Jesus proclaim before all heaven, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23a). 

	Is our time being spent selfishly or selflessly?
		--Ed Wittlif (Denver, CO)