Today’s Reading: Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34; Psalm 56
Because I can look back on yesterday,
and understand NOW what God was teaching me THEN,
I can trust Him with my TODAY
knowing that God has a plan for my TOMORROW.
Let’s face it, sometimes today just does not make sense. Sometimes it’s impossible for us to wrap our minds around what is happening in this life. We turn to God for understanding, hoping He will bring order to the chaos and answers to our questions. Many times we have to wait patiently for God to give us perspective. It does not make sense today, but perhaps it will tomorrow.
In the same way, the disciples did not fully understand everything Jesus was teaching them until after his death and resurrection. Early on in his ministry, Jesus began talking about his death. The disciples were slow to understand that Jesus was preparing them, little by little, for what was ahead.
Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. – Mark 2:19-20
Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. – Mark 8:31
God could have opened up the minds of the disciples and helped them to understand how Scripture was being fulfilled. Jesus could have had a lengthy conversation with His followers, clearly revealing His role and what was about to take place. But instead, Jesus chose to reveal God’s plan a little at a time.
SOMETIMES THE LORD REVEALS HIS PLAN A LITTLE AT A TIME.
“…For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of light.” – John 12:35-36a
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” – Matthew 20:17-19
They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant. – Mark 9:32
They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. – Mark 10:32a
Jesus spoke clearly to the disciples about what was coming. They heard him, yet they did not fully understand. They knew something was about to happen that would forever change them. They could feel both the anticipation and the fear of what was to come, but they were confused. They had the choice to walk away, yet they continued to follow Jesus. Their love for Jesus and their faith in their Lord was enough to keep them moving forward, regardless of their fear or anticipation of the unknown. Can you relate to how they were feeling?
SOMETIMES WE CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD REGARDLESS OF THE CONFUSION, FEAR AND ANTICIPATION.
There have been many times in my life when I was able to look back and see the evidence of how God had been preparing me for my current situation. I did not understand at the time, but later God increased my understanding. Looking back, I can see how various experiences in my life were shaping me into the person I needed to be for God’s plan. I can look back and see how God was revealing, little by little, things I needed to learn for a future purpose. So when I face persecution for my faith, I am reminded of how God has helped me through similar seasons of bullying. As I am threatened and falsely accused, I stand boldly in faith that God is on my side! I could trust Him yesterday, so I will trust Him today, knowing He has my tomorrows safely in His care.
Because I can look back on yesterday, as the disciples did,
and understand NOW what God was teaching me THEN,
I can trust Him with my TODAY
knowing that God has a plan for my TOMORROW.
Perhaps this describes you. You do not fully understand how God’s plan fits in the middle of your situation but you love Him enough to keep moving forward. You struggle to grasp what is happening but you choose to follow Jesus anyhow. The weight of your circumstances is overwhelming but your faith keeps you hoping — regardless of the fear or anticipation of the unknown. My prayer this morning is that God will give you the strength you need, and that He will reveal Himself to you in the middle of your reality. I pray your experience of him yesterday will help you to trust Him with everything that does not make sense today. And may Jesus show up in a very real way for you today.
But when I am afraid,I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4