The Final Word

I hate debates. I hate the volleying of claims or accusations between two or more parties, but this is what I hear all the time. I hear it from politicians, sports and talk shows, religious people, and even among people who call themselves Christians. Maybe the reason why it irritates me is because my kids used to do it all the time while they were growing up. I think I used to end the arguments by just telling them to shut up. But I can’t do this with other people.

One of the reasons why Jesus is so attractive to me is that with Jesus, there are no long drawn out arguments. When people engaged Jesus in a “dialogue,” Jesus had a way of ending a conversation quickly and superbly. For many years I have studied Jesus because I wanted to learn this technique. After many years of searching and attempts, I have come to the conclusion that this is not possible. It’s not possible because every time I’ve come up with a zinger—every time I’ve come up with a smart answer, there was an answer that came back—sometimes not as good as mine, but an answer, never the less. This is where I quit because I can see how this “dialogue” could go on and on and on.

I began to wonder, how Jesus would fare in our time? We live in a society that is fueled by debates. Everyone has an opinion, everyone thinks they’re right, and everyone has a lot of ammunition to back up their ideas. Then it dawned on me—Jesus would fare the same as He did back then. This is yet another proof that Jesus is God. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) I get it! Unless I recognize and acknowledge Jesus in every situation, I will never be successful in my endeavors because God will always have the final word.

Lord, Help me to “trust in [You] with all [my] heart and lean not on [my] own understanding; in all [my] ways [let me] acknowledge [You], and [You] will direct [my] paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).