What would your decision be if you were presented with the following choice: "Would you rather be broken or crushed?"

Mine would be "option C."

I mean, really?! Broken or crushed. What kind of choice is that?

Well... actually...

It was the choice Jesus presented to the chief priests and the elders in Jerusalem as he was completing his ministry.

Those priests and elders were not in a particularly receptive mood as Jesus entered Jerusalem. Though the crowds sung praises, and spread their cloaks on the road for Jesus, the religious leaders refused to believe.

While the children sang "Hosanna to the Son of David," the priests and elders simply got angry. Up in arms, they took Jesus to task. And Jesus responded with the choice.

"Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures:

'Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed'" (Matthew 21:42-44, NIV).

So what about you? After hearing that, wouldn't you agree it would be much better to be broken than crushed?

Fall on Jesus in faith, broken by your sins, and he will heal you.

Don't fall on Jesus, because you're too proud, or too busy, or too preoccupied, or simply determined to remain unbroken... then, please, please hear Jesus' clear warning.

Lord, Jesus, my sinful nature is so strong. In my own heart, I'm often just like the priests and elders. Instead of trusting you and embracing your promises of healing and forgiveness, in pride or in fear I reject them. I don't want to be crushed, even though that's what I deserve. I am broken by my sins. Send your Spirit, so that my cold heart becomes a heart willing to fall on you in faith, and be healed.

Our Bible reading for Monday, February 2, is Job 25:1 - 29:25, Matthew 21:33 - 22:14 and Psalm 18:7-15.

Header image based on "Glass" by Belli, CC by 2.0