Supposing Is Not Good Enough

     Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
     “Oh? Tell me.”
     “Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”
     - Luke 7:40-47

When Jesus asks Simon the Pharisee a question about feeling in debt to someone, Simon starts off his response with, "I suppose." It's pretty clear that either a) he's not taking Jesus's question seriously or b) he has never been in need himself and therefore can't relate to someone who is in need.  Either answer pretty much damns him.

Simon's been spending too much of his energy judging the 'sinful woman' and measuring up Jesus, so he can't really engage the conversation that Jesus is trying to have with him. 

I suspect that Jesus has been trying to have a conversation with you these days (that's an easy guess, because he's pretty much always wanting to connect with us about something!). Are you responding in a lackluster way like Simon? "Oh, I suppose I could take a minute out with you Lord, but I'm kind of busy..." or "I suppose I could give more money away but you know I don't have as much as some people..." or "I suppose it would be good to be more open about my faith with my friends, but it just seems so awkward..." Regardless of the area of your life where you start off responses to Jesus with "I suppose", pretty much universally that's an indicator that we're trying to protect ourselves from having to take Jesus seriously.

So cut the crap today, and get honest with Jesus. Don't say, "I suppose." If you want to disagree with Jesus or ask a question or say thank you, just do so directly and honestly. And, as opposed to Simon, you'll end up a lot closer to him.