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Nov 06, 2023 18:30pm

Surrender

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In a book I was recently reading, a young woman had to go before the magistrate to appeal for license renewal. She became the innkeeper when her husband suddenly passed away. This genteel woman, one whose hands had never seen a washboard or the sun, had been flung into a new way of life.

The room was full of people. Many had gathered to hear what she had to say. Some for her, some against.

“A woman innkeeper? Not likely to be successful. How will she handle rowdy men when they stumble from the coach? And what about the financial side? Surely a woman cannot handle this task.”

The whispers whirled through the room, and she knew what she was up against. One of the magistrates was a dear friend of hers but was sworn to uphold the law. The other, was an old friend of the family, but he wasn’t in her favor, and it was obvious.

As she stood before them, shoulders held back, chin raised, she gave her testimony.

Luke 15:1

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

They were all gathered to hear Jesus. Some for Him, some against. As He prepared to speak, whispers whirled about the place.

In this one moment, all are attentive to His words. I try to picture it in my mind.

Were they seated? Were they kneeling? Standing? I imagine those that were opposed and thought better of themselves, chose to stand, a confident, and condescending position. Those that truly wanted to hear Him, probably took a seat if they were able. A position that would allow them to stay awhile.

And all the time, Jesus knew all that was in their hearts. While He was fully God, He was also fully man. He still had feelings. And I can only imagine what He felt in that moment.

If only they would see.

If only they would hear.

If only they would soften their hearts to the truth.

And then I’m reminded of the scripture in Philippians of what is to come.

Philippians 2:10-11

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

All will stand before God, but only for a moment. For in the next, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

But for some, those that are against Jesus, those who have never put their trust in Him to save them and be their Lord, they will be sentenced to an eternity in Hell.

Tonight, I’m speaking to a women’s group about the word surrender. What does that look like? How do I do that? And what’s keeping me from that?

Have you fully surrendered to the Lord? I know, there are many who believe God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit exist. But they don’t recognize any authority over their lives. Their own pride keeps them from bowing their knee to the Lord.

But one day… one day they will bow.

Will you do that today before it’s too late?

Surrender.