WWJD
What would Jesus do? This was a very popular saying some time ago. It is indeed a worthy consideration as we face life’s daily struggles. If our aim is to be Christ-like then maybe this needs to be more than an acronym on a bracelet. We would do well to put our daily activities and questions of life through this test.
But as I ponder this idea, I would like to tweak the acronym to address a powerful question posed in Scripture.
WWIDWJ
What will I do with Jesus?
All of mankind will answer this question. It may not be in this lifetime but we will answer in time.
The question is a quote from Pilate in Matthew 27:22. Here in the trial of Jesus he asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?”
Pilate realized Jesus was innocent but failed to stand up to the angry mob as they demanded Jesus be crucified. He then symbolically washed his hands of the matter and tried to proclaim his innocence.
What will I do with Jesus?
We all must answer this question. And my eternal destination depends on how I answer this.
As I ponder this question I am led to yet another question from Scripture.
WWIDWJ
Rather than Pilate’s question of “What will I do with Jesus?” Let us consider Peter’s question, “What will I do without Him?” This question is found in the gospel of John following the fact that many of the disciples turned away and no longer followed Him. Jesus asked those remaining if they were going to turn away also. And in this context we find John 6:68.
But Simon Peter answered Him, “LORD, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life?”
In this passage consider the following 4 points.
- Lord to whom shall we go? Peter recognized there was no other. John 14:6 notes Jesus is the only way.
- You – Jesus was the “you.” He was GOD’S provisional plan from the beginning. Genesis 3:15 is the first revelation of that plan. GOD told Satan about the coming Messiah. Though it took hundreds of years, Peter recognized that Jesus was the Christ. Jesus was the “You” GOD had promised.
- The words – These are the words that signify the plan by which salvation has come. These words were shared with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 leading him to his conversion. It has been said the confession made in verse 37 are the 10 most important words one can utter.
- Eternal life – This is the perfect place representing life as opposed to the second death described in Revelation 21:8.
WWIDWJ – What will I do without Jesus? Very few people deny that the man Jesus lived. Even those who are not of the Christian persuasion admit He lived. The history books are filled with this fact. Our calendars mark the year from His birth. But many in the world do not submit to His Deity. Many Jews and Moslems as well as others deny that He is GOD.
What will I do without Jesus? Peter recognized there was salvation in no other name.
The Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8 made his confession when he said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of GOD.”
As worthy as WWJD is, I think WWIDWJ is of even greater importance.
What will I do with Jesus? Yes we all must answer this question. As the old song goes, what will you do with Jesus, neutral you cannot be! I must also realize the seriousness of “What will I do without Him.”
Philippians 2:10, 11 tells us there will come a time when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.
Let us bow and confess now on this side of the final judgment, so that our fear will not be to await the answer to “what will He do with me?”