Has the Master come knocking on your door, but you’ve turned Him away because of what you’ve heard? At one time or another you’ve probably been the victim of rumors attempting to defile your reputation, especially to those who don’t know you and who don’t know any better. Near the end of Luke 9, Jesus is rejected by association and sent away because He sent word to them that He’d also be visiting another town. One people’s hatred for another ruined their opportunity to encounter Christ Jesus. When the disciples asked Jesus if fire should be brought down from heaven to correct the town, Jesus merely corrected them for their threatened retribution on a people who needed love, not condemnation.
He also went on to the other town because He knew those with hardened hearts would not have ears to hear what He was saying. Has your heart been hardened against those who despise you? Have you returned their hatred with a stony heart of your own? Has the hurt made you angry? Jesus found compassion for those who wanted nothing to do with Him just because He chose to reach out to everyone, even enemies. Jesus came for all mankind, giving access to God’s entire creation through a grace so big it can cover the sins of the entire human race.
The blood of Jesus is life to anyone who’s willing to lay down his or her hatred just long enough to say “yes” to Jesus’ invitation to come into their hearts. You know God won’t live within the deadness of your stony heart for long without bringing the true breath of life and softening it for His dwelling place. Don’t let the Devil deny you the God given chance to escape the hold of hatred that wants to keep you in the bondage of bitterness. This chance is in the shape of a cross and tomb that tells the story of your flight from fear to freedom.
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