September 7, 2010 You Can't Argue with an Embrace

September 7
You Can’t Argue with an Embrace
Read Mark 8 – 9

Mark 8:11 When the local Jewish leaders learned of his arrival, they came to argue with him.” Do a miracle for us,” they said. “Make something happen in the sky. Then we will believe in you.”

MANY of us today are like these Jewish leaders. On Jesus’ arrival in their town, they wanted to argue with him and see more signs from him. When Jesus “arrives” in our midst through the reading and preaching of God’s Word, we may think, “Those words aren’t for me. Surely he’s not asking me to love my neighbor, to forgive others, to live in peace, or to give up what I want to follow him.” We want to argue with Jesus’ teaching.

Then, when Jesus has shown us that he is with us and we can trust him, do we willingly take the next step of faith?

Perhaps, instead, we wonder again if we can trust him. We wonder if we can give our hearts and minds to him in new situations, to let go of ourselves and live life differently.

Be assured that you can. When Jesus “arrives” today through God’s Word or nudges your mind, greet him warmly and with trust. Know he comes to minister to you and to give you of himself. Embrace him and accept him gladly.




Pause and Consider: Have you ever argued with anyone at the moment you’ve embraced him?