Whatever You Do

Mark 15:6-11 Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.  
 
YOU can understand Pilate’s very uncomfortable circumstance. Likely, you’ve been in a situation where you must make a decision you want to avoid. Whatever you do will cause someone to be unhappy.
   That’s where Pilate found himself that dreadful morning. Pilate wanted to be politically correct. He didn’t want to offend the Jews. He didn’t want to seem weak to the Romans.
   Then Pilate tried to solve the  problem with the Jews’ custom to release one man during the Passover. He offered Jesus to the crowd. Instead, the crowd chose the terrorist Barabbas. A leader who wants to appease everyone with, “I’ll do whatever makes you happy.” is at the mercy of those who shout the loudest.
   In contrast, the Bible gives many lessons on God-centered, “Whatever Leadership”. Paul reveals one lesson in Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This is the fundamental understanding that all your thoughts and actions must be ordered and rooted in the gospel. Jesus did not come to please all with, “Whatever  you want!” He came to draw the line on sin and salvation. Sometimes we forget Jesus’ rules because we’re busy doing whatever we like.
   Paul also taught the church that whatever they do, they must put Jesus first: Philippians 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. And he spurred them on to faithful living: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  
   And Paul wrote nothing must bar forgiveness: Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
   Jesus wants you to be faithful and true, whatever you do: Mark 4:22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
   Being a Christian is being a Gospel strengthened “whatever leader”.