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Thursday, August 14, 2008
Fear of the Challenger
The leading priests and the teachers of the law heard these
things. They began trying to find a way to kill Jesus. They
were afraid of Jesus because all the people were amazed at
his teaching. That night, Jesus and his followers left the
city.
-- Mark 11:18-19 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
We are brought to the great irony of the story that will continue to
unfold: those who hate and want to murder Jesus are afraid of him. They
won't believe, but they will fear. Are their fears well founded? If
they are trying to preserve the status quo, then their fears are well
founded. If they are choosing the preservation of their own religious
understanding, then their fears are well founded. If they are trying to
maintain the facade of self-determination and control, then their fears
are well founded. They will not kill Jesus for being a nice guy, a
friend to outcasts, a helper to the weak, and a lover of children. They
will kill Jesus because he comes to challenge everything they hold
dear. What will we do with such a Jesus?
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Almighty God and gracious Father, while I sometimes fear change in my
life, your grace and mercy have taught me not to fear Jesus. However,
dear Father, I do find that in my heart there are areas of reluctance
that I do not want to relinquish to his control. This shames me when I
am courageous enough to be honest about it. Please help me relinquish
control of these areas of my life to your Son. Please use your Spirit
to comfort and calm me as I must learn to walk by faith in areas of my
life where I have tried to maintain control. In Jesus' name I ask this.
Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/mark/0814-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Mark+11:18-19&sr=1&t=erv
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THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING, by Brian McLaren
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