I have a very important question to ask you tonight…and it’s going to take some self-examination. Here’s the question…are you living your life to please other people, or are you living your life to please God? Let’s talk about it…. turn with me if you will to the Book of Matthew, chapter 27, verses 15-26:“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, 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.”
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They said, “Barabbas!”
Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified."
So, I did a little research about the man who condemned Jesus to death. Pontius Pilate was a Roman governor of Judea under the Emperor Tiberius during the years between 26 AD to 36 AD. Some say he was a ruthless man, though the man we see in scripture seemed to be easily manipulated by the people. He cared more about popularity than he did about doing the right thing.
We see in Luke’s account that at one-point Pontius Pilate wanted to release Jesus because he found nothing to accuse him of. Even his wife attested to Jesus’ innocence when she told him she had suffered many things in a dream because of Him. And, during the feast of the Passover, it was tradition to release one criminal, and he could have legally chosen to release Jesus. But the truth is…no matter how much he knew that what he was doing was wrong, he chose to have Jesus crucified. He chose to please the people instead of judging rightly and justly. Friends…I want to submit to you today that if we were to be totally honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that we are ALL guilty of doing the same thing.
Think about it. Some of us spend our whole lives hoping that one person will notice what we do, or that someone will show some appreciation. Some of us live to please our spouse, our children, our grandchildren, our boss, our friends. I have known people who don’t even know who they are or what they prefer because they have spent their whole lives trying to be who someone else wanted them to be. I know what I’m talking about…I was once that person. There was a time in my life when I thought I needed to impress men and so I would dress to please them and talk to please them. Then, I thought I had to please my boss, so I would say all the right things…be the first to work in the morning, last to leave at night, take my work home with me and stay up until all hours of the night trying to be the best I could be to please my boss while other areas of my life suffered. Even in ministry, I used to get upset because my church didn't recognize my missions efforts...why, they wouldn't even let me teach a Sunday School class...and my area association didn't consider the missions work that I did as part of their outreach.
Let me tell you the truth Friends, when you are trying to please people, you will NEVER be good enough, you can NEVER be pretty enough, you will NEVER be efficient enough to keep them happy with you all the time. So you’d may as well stop trying.
And here’s what I would advise you to do…if you will concentrate on an audience of ONE...only ONE...and make sure that the way you live your life is pleasing to God alone...then you will see much more results in your life and ministry than you ever imagined and you will find that you will be much more content with the direction you are going in your life.
Friends, there are many things going on in the world that will lead you astray if you let it. You have to determine once and for all that you are on this earth to serve God and let your praise come from Him. You may never see greatness in this life. You may never have the accolades that your see others receive, but when you see Jesus face to face, hearing the words, “Well done good and faithful servant” will be the greatest reward you could ask for. So stop worrying about what others think about your efforts. Seek the direction of the Lord diligently, obey Him alone, and be content with knowing that your efforts are pleasing to your Heavenly Father. Know that He is smiling when He sees you living your life for Him and He will be with you, He will provide for you, and He will honor you before all when you reach your Heavenly Abode.
Won’t you join me in prayer:
Father, I am so thankful for every opportunity that you give me to serve in Your Kingdom, doing the work to reach those that you have given to me to minister to. I am so thankful that You provide everything I need to accomplish ever goal you set before me, and I can have contentment in my soul that my Father is pleased. I don’t need to please the world, and I don’t need to compromise in my efforts in order to please friends, family or even church leaders. I can be satisfied knowing that my Father in Heaven is smiling down at me, and You are pleased. Thank You Father, for always being with me and for being faithful to keep every promise you have made to see that my purpose is fulfilled. I love You Lord, and I praise You alone. In Jesus Name I pray…Amen.
