July 16
Mark 10:32-34
I think the key to the verses today is in the very first sentence – Jesus was leading the way! Something scary and really difficult was about to happen. But Jesus already knew, and was leading the disciples through it. When we are faced with tough situations we often forget that God is not shocked by our circumstances. He knows what is going to happen, and He is in control. We don’t have to stumble blindly through our lives, because we have Jesus to follow. “Jesus said to the people, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:12 NLT) It’s like a really intricate game of follow the leader! We are not supposed to plan our lives and then ask God to come with us. We are supposed to listen and follow God wherever He leads us. I am so thankful that God was not shocked when my husband lost his job. And as I pray and plan to make big life changes, I see all the ways that God was taking care of us and preparing the way for our transformation. Thank you, Jesus, for leading the way!
Principle: Jesus goes before His followers to encourage and to prepare them for what is to come.
Application:
1. Am I willing to trust God’s plan of my life even if it involves sufferings and degradation?
2. In what ways do Christ’s presence and power comfort me in my present circumstances?
3. When others see me walk with Jesus, do they see trust and confidence or fear amazement?
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“With Jesus leading the way” is definitely a phrase I need to commit to memory and be able to live out. And then the next sentence starts out with “Again He took the 12 aside and told them what was going to happen to them.” How many times has Jesus had to “again” take me aside. In stead of being depressed about that, I kind of chuckled when I realized that I was in good company! Thank you Jesus for continually instructing me.
ReplyDelete"...the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid." I have observed that those closest to Jesus do not respond emotionally the same as those farther away from him. Consider 9-11: those following from a distance were mad at God and saying "why did God let this happen?" Those who walk with him closely understood that God allows evil men to do evil deeds because he created us with a free will. Instead of being mad at God, they were comforted by God's promise to work all things together for good (which He did!) When my friends, the Rountrees, died in the tornado last year, I observed the difference that a close walk with Christ made in the emotional response of those who loved them. Kali continues to be an amazing living testimony to how living closely to Jesus makes all the difference. I pray that I will be like the disciples: what makes others afraid will simply cause me to be astonished.
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