Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 13:9 (New Living Translation)

9 “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

Jesus is speaking to some followers. Jesus says one of those things that makes no sense. Jesus often did that.

You followers will be beaten in our religion schools, not welcomed as followers of God. You followers will stand trial before Gentile governors and kings. Imprisonment in dirty jails to soon follow. Yikes! This sounds awful. Who wants to be a follower of Jesus?

Then Jesus turns it around with, “This will be your opportunity to tell them about me.”

Huh? Opportunity? Something good will come of this? Yes.

A friend recently told me something. He was talking to a stranger in the mall. He told the stranger something like, “No matter what you think of me or say about me, I love you unconditionally.”

That’s an odd thing to say to someone. I don’t know how I would react if a stranger said that to me. That, however, is the type of thing Jesus would say and would encourage me to say. My opportunity is upon me. What do I say?

Please God, help me in my unbelief.