When it comes to Jesus being part of our life, we have three choices.

1) Reject Him. That’s what the Pharisees did. ‘Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”’ (v.22 NKJV). His grace and power exposed the Pharisees' lack of them. His truth exposed their mistakes. And when you don’t like the message, you reject the messenger.

2) Avoid Him. That’s what Pilate’s wife did: ‘His wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him”’ (Matthew 27:19 NKJV). We can wonder why people avoid a loving, compassionate Jesus. It's because He forces a reaction in our hearts. He calls us to make a choice between living for ourselves and living for Him. The chief priests said, ‘He stirs up the people’ (Luke 23:5 NKJV). We can't help but have a response to Jesus because He disturbs the status quo in our hearts. And we don't always want to be disturbed!

3) Accept Him. That’s what Paul did: ‘Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me’ (Galatians 2:20 NKJV). Pilate tried to wash his hands of the whole thing and avoid making a decision about Jesus. But it can’t be done. Jesus said, ‘He who is not with Me is against Me’ (Matthew 12:30 NKJV). If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Saviour, here's the question you need to answer honestly: ‘What's my response to Jesus?

What Now?

Assess how you’re reacting to Jesus at the moment. Are you trying to reject His call (maybe because it’s uncomfortable or scary)? Are you avoiding spending time with Him for some reason? Or are you completely embracing what He’s been saying to you recently?