Yesterday, we read about Jesus' conflict with the Pharisees over the proper observance of the sabbath. Today, we read that Jesus refused to drop the subject of proper sabbath observance. Instead, He decided to bring the conflict to a head by publicly healing on the sabbath (Mk 3:2). The Pharisees' reaction to this confrontation was not repentance. Rather, "they immediately began to plot with the Herodians how they might destroy Him" (Mk 3:6).
Jesus is also calling you to repent. You want Him to drop the subject, but He loves you so much that He will confront you and bring to a head your rebellion against Him. As the Lord calls for your repentance, what will you do?
Jesus is too insistent on repentance for us to ignore Him for too long. We must either repent or get rid of Him. If the Lord would only "mind His own business" and stop insisting we repent, He wouldn't have to be crucified again (see Heb 6:6). Instead, He keeps bothering us. If He only would shut up, we wouldn't have to shut Him up.
What will you do? What will you do to Him? Will it be your repentance or His crucifixion?
| PRAYER: | Father, by repenting may I stop crucifying Your Son and holding Him up to contempt (Heb 6:6). |
| PROMISE: | "Abraham apportioned to him one tenth of all his booty." –Heb 7:2 |
| PRAISE: | Marcia forgave her husband for committing adultery. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College