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 ALL of you!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, it is hard to give up control. But help me to see that half-surrender is no surrender, that holding out on You only holds me back from You.
Once again the religious leaders were out to get Jesus – His power, His authority, His following, His popularity, His challenges, His teachings, etc. They didn’t have the eyes that see – except for their self interests.
I need to drop my self interest and give all of this day to Jesus living in His SonShine – His Word showing me the way of joy and freedom.
1
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Doth his successive journeys run;
His Kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2
To Him shall endless prayer be made.
And princes throng to crown His head,
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
3
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His name.
4
Blessings abound where’er He reigns:
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains,
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blest.