What Shall I Do with Jesus?

Matthew 27:11-25

Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” (Matthew 27:11)

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The Romans held the exclusive right of execution.

The Jewish leaders had to approach Pilate.

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And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. (Matthew 27:12)

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There was no fault in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Jewish leaders had to manufacture lies to kill the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pilate could see through their plan.

But Pilate allowed the leaders to scream more accusations against the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. (Matthew 27:13-14)

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Pilate was amazed.

The Lord Jesus Christ was being accused of serious crimes, yet He said nothing in His own defense.

The Lord Jesus Christ was resolute.

He willingly went to the cross.

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Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. (Matthew 27:15)

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As a concession to a conquered people, the governor would release a criminal during the Passover.

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And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. (Matthew 27:16)

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Barabbas was not just another common criminal; he was well-known.

He was a robber.

He was an insurrectionist and a murderer.

He was a severe threat to the safety of the people.

And he was due to be crucified.

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Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:17)

For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. (Matthew 27:18)

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Pilate knew whom the leaders would choose.

But he wanted to pit the leaders against the people.

He knew about the popularity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. (Matthew 27:20)

The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" (Matthew 27:21)

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Pilate underestimated the power of the leaders.

He overestimated the heart of the people.

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Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" (Matthew 27:22-23)

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They wanted the Lord Jesus Christ’ blood.

Nothing Pilate did would change that.

Pilate was in a panic.

He didn’t want to violate justice.

But he also didn’t want to start a riot.

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When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." (Matthew 27:24)

And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." (Matthew 27:25)

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What a frightening thought!

The Jewish crowd said they would be responsible for the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

That was the verdict of the nation Israel on their Messiah.

The Jewish people took on themselves the blood guiltiness for the Lord Jesus Christ’s death.

In so doing, they gave testimony to the whole world that it was their responsibility.

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Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26)

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What shall you do with the Lord Jesus Christ?