How does it feel to walk up to someone, put out your hand and say, Hi, my name is Bob, only to have the other person simply turn his shoulder and walk away? It is pretty hard to get very far in life without getting snubbed once or twice, so most of us know what that feels like. It is an embarrassing moment, but when it has happened to me, I generally feel embarrassment for the other person, not for myself. I figure I was brought up better than that.

But there is a more serious thought connected with this. God reveals Himself to man as one who has approached us and put out his hand, saying, Hello, my name is Jesus. And I suppose it is fair to say that God knows precisely what it feels like to be snubbed. Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, drops a hint.

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he says, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

It is almost as though God is saying, What do you mean, I’ll do it tomorrow? I am here right now. Right now is the day of salvation for you. The grace of God is the extending of his hand, and right now is the time to take it.