[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=conflict&iid=270127″ src=”0266/106507bc-9af4-427a-9899-0db22b4a29bd.jpg?adImageId=11588863&imageId=270127″ width=”234″ height=”234″ /]Whether we like it or not conflict is part of our daily lives.  There are a few who thrive on disagreements, there are some always looking for “a good fight” but for most of us conflict is something we would rather avoid. 

One of the greatest conflicts ever experienced is often completely overlooked.  The cross of Jesus Christ casts so significant a shadow even observant Christians miss the horrific battles waged prior to the passion narrative.

Consider just a few of the events in John 8.  The religious leaders of the day were somehow able to produce a woman who was “caught” in sexual intercourse with a married man.  The desire was to pit Jesus against the Law given by God to the Jews.  In later conversation, the religious leaders delivered a “below the belt” shot by asking Jesus to produce his father.  Not one of the gospels explains Joseph’s disappearance.  Did Joseph die? Did he abandon his family?  The reader can only wonder.  The fact remains, all four gospel accounts agree, Joseph was a surrogate father and as such would be considered as illegitimate as Jesus. Jesus was then questioned as to whether or not he was suicidal, then all but outright called a bastard, then clearly called a demon possessed, low-life half-breed.

All this and more before he was arrested.  I know beyond doubt that I would not have stood firm.  I would have quit, or being God in the flesh, angrily reduced my adversaries to piles of cinder.  Such was not done, for the Savior, convinced of his purpose and fully submissive to the authority of the Father endured for the sake of the shame of bearing the crushing weight of my sin, and yours.

My friends at Main Street will consider these things as we bring Convinced: A Destination Reached, to a close and focus our attentions on Resurrection Day.