THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 11:27-33
“Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (Mark 11:33)
The religious leaders are playing ‘hard to get’ with Jesus.
They are clever and shrewd, but so is Jesus.
He knows their hearts, He can play their games… and win.
Do we play games with Jesus, giving some but not all of ourselves to Him?
We want the benefits of knowing Jesus, without giving up everything.
Jesus asks our whole heart and commitment, and we’re prepared to give Him some.
The religious leaders did not want to give up their authority to Jesus.
The above comic shows someone willing to surrender all… but their wallet.
What are you holding out on Jesus – a certain relationship, or habit, or possession?
If we hold back from Jesus, Jesus will hold back from us.
He will not tell us what we want to know, or give us what we want to receive.
He loves us too much to let us get away with hanging on to self and sin.
Be honest, are you playing ‘hard to get’ with Jesus?
He loves you, but He will not play games with you… He wants to save and restore ALL of you!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, it is hard to give up control. I get the religious leaders, wanting to protect themselves. But help me to see that half-surrender is no surrender, that holding out on You only holds me back from You.