Some Bible questions need to be asked over and over again as we make an honest inquiry into what it is we proclaim to believe. Some texts need to be revisited and observed to keep a proper perspective. I have been made to wonder how many sermons have been preached, articles written, and lessons taught on the question we want to examine from Matthew 27:22 when Pilate asked the question, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” There are many ways to approach this question and I pray that I am never ashamed to go back to preach, write, or study this most important question over and over again. Notice the first person pronoun I in the question. That is where the question must start, what shall I do with Jesus? There are very few things in life that are inescapable, but this question is one of them. What were some of the “options” Pilate faced at that time that we still face in our time?

(i)TRUTH OR TRADITION Pilate first sought to use a tradition to get around answering the question. It was a tradition to release a prisoner at Passover. In Matt.27:15-16 he asks them who would they rather have released; Barabbas or Jesus? The crowd demands the release of Barabbas. Then we observe where Pilate asked Jesus in Jno.19:38 “What is truth?” One senses the sarcasm in his statement and yet Pilate is standing in front of the embodiment of truth. Jno.14:6 We must be honest and follow the truth wherever it leads!

(ii)CHRIST OR THE CROWD During His earthly ministry Jesus was popular with the crowd. We read of the triumphal King’s entry into Jerusalem in Lk.19:28-40 the crowd cried out KING. Now less than a week later they crying our CRUCIFY! A crowd can quickly turn on you. Sunday He was given praise and honor (Matt.21:8) and Friday they call for His death (Matt.27:23-24). Today there is the same choice put before us. Will we follow the Christ or follow the crowd?

(iii)CONSCIENCE OR CAESAR The third choice Pilate had to face was either follow what he knew was right and proclaims Christ innocent of all charges, but then deal with Caesar. The

crowed had yelled, “We have no king, but Caesar!” so if Jesus was saying He was a King then there was the fear that he would have to answer to Caesar. Yet, his conscience knew Jesus had done no wrong. It was either do what was right or what was politically expedient. Today we have to decide whether we will do the right thing because it is the right thing or will we compromise our beliefs because it may cost us something.

(iv)SUBMISSION OR SELF Will we submit to God or follow self? Pilate followed the crowd because he was more concerned about himself than he was truth. Although he had opportunity to do right he did not submit to the will of God, but rather looked to save his own neck. What about us? Does Galatians 2:20 apply to us or are we looking out for self.

(v)THE CHOICE IS OURS! Pilate chose unwisely and incorrectly….what will you choose?

In Genesis 3 we have the record of the fall of man.  We observe many great lessons by looking at this event.

(i)The Devil is Crafty.   Notice he comes in the form of a serpent.  He is in the Garden of Eden and he comes with a purpose to tempt Adam and Eve to rebel against God.  Observe the evil one is crafty (Gen.3:1) and watch how he goes about tempting Adam and Eve to sin. (1)Questions God Word.  Gen.3:1 “” The devil states, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” He starts off by questioning God’s command to Adam and Eve. He in essence states, “Is that what God has said?”  The devil at this time puts into their minds a question, just exactly what did God tell them?  He wanted them to question God’s Word.  (2)Doubt God’s Word. Once you get a man or woman to question God’s word it won’t be long until he doubts God’s Word. The devil says, “God said that?” The devil began to question the authority of God.  This in turn made Eve doubt God’s authority. In fact notice in verses 2-3 Eve already adds to God’s command as far as we can tell by stating they are not to even touch the fruit.  (3)They began to feel cheated.  The devil plants the seed in their minds that God is cheating them. That God is holding us back. Eve began to feel she was missing something in life. God did not want her to be like Him when in reality eating the fruit made her less like God. The devil put in her mind she was being cheated and she became dissatisfied and upset.  (4)Ate of the fruit. They did exactly what God told them not to do.

(ii)The Consequences of such Actions.  Now observe the fact there were consequences to their sin.  (1)They lost paradise.  God kicked them out of the Garden.  (2)They lose their purity. Became sinners in rebellion against God (Rom.5:12). (3)Their conscience was stirred and they recognized their sin.  Genesis 3:7 “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” They were innocent before they sinned. They did not know they were naked until after they ate the fruit. Once they ate the fruit their eyes were opened, they knew right from wrong, and they tried to hide from God.  They not only tried to hide from each other they also tried to hide from God. (a)This is why we must be careful not to let our conscience be our guide unless it is a conscience guided by God’s Word.

(iii)God’s Response.  Look at how God responded to the sin of Adam and Eve. (1)Judgement…there were consequences for their sin. God did not ignore their sin. He expelled them from the Garden and placed curses on Adam, Eve, and the serpent (Gen.3:14-19).  (2)Made a robe for them. In vs.9 God calls for them…seeks for them…that is what He has always done for man. (3)After confronting them over their sin God sacrificed an animal and made them robes to cover their nakedness. Genesis 3:21 “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.”  God made the sacrifice even though Adam and Eve sinned. God’s righteousness can only be satisfied in judgment and holiness.

(iv)What Had to Be Done before Adam and Eve could be saved?  Sin had to be judged and put away. Satan’s power had to be crushed. Adam’s only hope was in the robe of skins God provided. Adam and Eve had sinned, they were filled with fear, they had no hope in themselves, and there was nothing they could do to get rid of their sin without God acting on their behalf.  Adam and Eve had a choice, they could try to run from God and hide in their shame and cover themselves with fig leaves, or they could turn to God and let Him cover their shame with the garment of His grace.

(v)Lessons for us today:                                                                                                                                                                           

(1) Beware of the lies of the devil. He is crafty and cunning and often we are more prepared to listen to his lies than we are God’s truth because it is what we think we want to hear.                                                                                                                                 

(2)Beware lest we question God’s word. Some want to accept certain parts of the Bible, but not the entirety. With the Scripture it is either all or nothing.                                                                                                                                                                              

(3)Beware lest we doubt God’s Word. God wants us to be like Him. He desires us to be holy, while the devil lies to make us doubt. The devil’s strategy has not changed (I Jno.2:16).

(4)Beware least you feel cheated. You are not missing anything living in sin. Sin causes us to lose things. When we doubt God’s Word we lose peace of mind.  When we live in rebellion against God we lose our soul.                                                               

(5)Educate your conscience to God’s Word.  Instead of trying to cover and hide our sin from God (which cannot be done) let Him cover us with the blood of His Son. When we are baptized into Christ we are made clean from our sin. God made a sacrifice to save us from our sin, but we must put on Christ and live for Him to be free from sin.