Pilate’s job was to keep peace in Jerusalem. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to be executed for blasphemy. But Pilate could find no crime in him. The leaders stirred the crowd to demand Jesus’ execution and Barabbas’s release. Pilate tried talking sense to the people. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” And they all kept shouting “Crucify him!”

Pilate finally gave up, gave in, and tried to wash his hands of the matter. History won’t let him do that, however—and ever since that day Pilate’s ques­tion demands our answer.

The Apostles’ Creed asserts that Jesus “was crucified, died, and was buried,” and on “the third day he rose again from the dead” and later “ascended to heaven.” And now, through his Spirit, Jesus makes his home with us wherever we are. Our resurrected Savior has come to fill our lives; he won’t just settle for a two-minute prayer and a few Scripture verses for our day. Jesus wants far more of us and has much more for us.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus?” We can meet him in his Word as we read and study it and hear it preached. We can worship Christ by seeing the glory of creation. We can also seek ways to worship Christ not only on Sundays but every day. Pondering this question can be a great help for our relationship with Jesus!