“Then what shall I do with Jesus
who is called Christ?”
(Matthew 27:22)

I’ve been summoned for jury duty too many times to count and have always “advanced” to be questioned by the lawyers involved in the case. However, I’ve never made it past that stage. They lose all interest in me after I’m asked, “What do you do?” and I respond, “I’m a Bible teacher.” That’s as far as I go, so back home again. I’m always relieved. The last time I was notified to appear it was to be a case against a parent for child abuse. Bad. It’s important for us to be involved in these things, but I think it would be difficult to say, “Guilty” at the climax of the trial.

Well, let’s say that you have been called for jury duty and are now seated in the Juror’s stand. The trial has been spell-binding. A man who has been causing dissention among the citizens, presenting Himself as an authority on the issues of life and His relationship with God, sowing seeds of doubt about our local leaders—both religious and secular—is standing before you now. You listen, breathlessly, as the prosecutor faces the Defendant for the final questioning and asks: “Are You who You claim to be?” The Man answers clearly: “It is as you have said.” The prosecutor says, “No further questions,” proudly walks back to his seat and the jury is dismissed to make their decision. But, He has indicted Himself! He has identified Himself as the Person He has been claiming to be! Now you must decide as a member of the jury: “What will I do with this Jesus?”

This “decision” had been yours to make since you were old enough to know right from wrong. Many times, during your years on Planet Earth, that question has been before you: “What will you do with Jesus?” At every Church service, every sunrise, every event in your life—little or big—before every sin, the thought has come in one way or another, (What about Jesus?) And your vote as been cast, “I want nothing to do with Him! Take Him away! Guilty as charged!” “Not so! I haven’t said that!” The juror has only two choices and you did not align yourself with Him, so your vote is negative—against Him.

I “stepped across the line in the sand to stand with Jesus” when I was twelve years old. But that question is still before me every minute of the day with everything I do or say, What about Jesus, Anabel? Are you with Him or against Him? I have declared Him innocent and have aligned myself with Him as His juror: Now I am His disciple, His child, His follower. The question is, “Will you be faithful to Jesus, Anabel, or will you turn your back on Him? What will you do with Jesus?”

Lord, and I deliberately call You ‘Lord’, I want to be faithful and loyal to you. I want everyone in the ‘courtroom’ to know where I stand. Thank You for letting me stand by You. It is quite an honor, You know.