What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? (Matthew 27:22)

“What will you do with Jesus?” This question echoes through the ages as the only inquiry requiring a definitive, individual choice. The call is universal but the answer is always personal.

The choice, residing firmly within the realm of each person’s free will, demands either acceptance or rejection. Joshua chose affirmatively (Joshua 24:15). The crowd before Pilate chose negatively (Matthew 27:22-26). Even choosing to remain neutral or indifferent is, in essence, a personal rejection because on this question, there is no middle ground. It is a yes-no, thumbs up-thumbs down decision, not multiple choice. Even Jesus said ambivalence is no option (Matthew 6:24). The choice remains between for or against Him (Luke 9:50).

The associated outcomes of this choice have eternal consequences. To accept Jesus involves being where He is for eternity (John 14:1-3). To reject Him is to choose an eternity apart from Him in the only place where He isn’t—a perpetual lake of fire (Revelation 20:10-15) prepared for the devil and his fallen angels (Matthew 25:41).

Failed Alternatives Against Jesus

Should the eternal outcomes not sufficiently influence the decision, its importance becomes increasingly clear when attempting to seek other options:

• We cannot kill Him. He already died, then left death’s embrace (Luke 24:1-7) to be alive forevermore (Revelation 1:18).
• We cannot imprison Him. He walks through walls, appearing and disappearing as He wills (John 20:19-21). As Omnipresent, He remains simultaneously boundless.
• We cannot discredit Him. He speaks absolute truth with divine authority (Matthew 7:28-29), stumping even the wisest challenges or questions (Luke 20:40).
• We cannot ignore Him. Creation proclaims the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-2) while the inner human spirit cries out for reunion with Him (Romans 8:22-23).
• We cannot doubt Him. He gives great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4) in His eternal, unchanging Word (1 Peter 1:23). He fulfilled all past prophecies so there is no reason to question His future promises.
• We cannot resist Him. One day, regardless of acceptance or rejection, every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).

Personal Invitation for Jesus

In view of these impossibilities, only one suitable choice becomes apparent. Accept Him today and relish a vibrant, intimate, personal relationship with Him. He stands at your heart’s door patiently awaiting your invitation. “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens.

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About the Author

A lifelong student of Scripture, Nate Stevens has also enjoyed a banking career in a variety of leadership roles. He is the author of Matched 4 Life and Deck Time with Jesus as well as a contributing author on several of the Moments Books (Billy Graham Moments, Divine Moments, Spoken Moments, Christmas Moments, Stupid Moments, Cool-inary Moments, etc.). He writes online devotionals for ChristianDevotions.us and SingleMatters.com as well as articles for several other publications. Additionally, he leads Fusion, a Christian singles ministry he co-founded. A popular speaker and teacher at conferences, seminars and Bible study groups, he speaks on a wide variety of topics. He currently lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, with his beautiful wife, Karen, and is a proud dad of two awesome kids, Melissa and Mitchell.

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