Notice the following words penned in John’s gospel chapter 12 and verse 6. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” When you think of Jesus Christ there is one that should always come to your mind, He is the ONLY SAVIOR. Let us think about Jesus as the ONE and ONLY from Scripture.

(i)Jesus-The One and Only Born of a Virgin Miraculously. In Lk.1:35-37 the angel Gabriel announced to the virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear a Son even though she had never known a man within the sexual relationship. The Scripture says, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Jesus is the One and Only born of a virgin in a miraculous manner.

(ii)Jesus-The One and Only to Live a Sinless Life (I Pet.2:21-23). He lived a sinless life, never one transgressing the law of God. He never on any occasion disobeyed the will of the Father. As He lived on this earth He put God first. He walked in the way of His Father. He never once committed a sin or violated a command of God. He is the One and Only who ever came to an age of accountability that when tempted did not yield sin.

(iii)Jesus the One and Only to Be Sacrificed. Because He was sinless, He was the ONLY ONE who could die an atoning death for sinners. Because we have sinned we deserve death, both physical and spiritual. However, because Jesus went to the cross as a sacrifice for our sins we can be saved from the second death by surrendering to His will. We can be redeemed from our sins by His blood (Eph.1:7). When we are baptized into Christ we come into contact with the cleansing blood of Christ (Rev.1:5).

(iv)Jesus is the One and Only Sitting At the Father’s Right Hand (Acts 2:33). In Matt.28:18 Jesus was given all authority! He is KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS (Rev.17:14). Since He is the King He has every right to tell those in His kingdom what He expects. He has the authority to do so. One can become a citizen of His kingdom by obeying His will. He is the One and Only over the church (Eph.1:22-23).

(v)Jesus is the One and Only Mediator (I Tim.2:5). He is One and Only Mediator between

man and God. He is Divine and knows how God “feels” but since He also took on flesh He can sympathize (Heb.4:15) with man and mediates for us. He is our High Priest and when I pray to God I go through a High Priest who understands and sympathizes with me.

(vi)Jesus is One and Only Judge (2 Cor.5:10). Notice that Paul says we must all stand before the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST. He is the One and Only Judge. May we prepare for the day we stand before Him. We will be judged by His words (Jno.12:42)

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?