“They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.” (Mark 10:32, NIV)
“Why Jerusalem?” This question had to be on the minds of all those who loved Jesus. They knew the authorities in Jerusalem were dangerous. Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees had all made threats against Jesus. Those in power were both amazed and fearful of Jesus’ growing popularity, especially among the masses. It was hazardous for Jesus to travel to Jerusalem. Why Jerusalem? It was not a safe place for Jesus nor any of His followers.
The scripture for today from the gospel of Mark displays the fear of Jesus’ followers as they turned toward Jerusalem. Mark 10:32 states that as Jesus and his followers “were on their way up to Jerusalem…. those who followed were afraid.” And they had a right to be. Jerusalem was an unknown force to be reckoned with; the powers that be in Jerusalem could bring judgement. While those who followed Jesus grew fearful at the prospects, what is Jesus seen doing? The scripture tells us that Jesus led the way. He walked before the whole group. He was not being tentative. His face was set; His mind made up. He was determined. Jesus knew that His future lay in facing His challenges in Jerusalem. Jesus showed no fear. He gave no sign of hesitancy. God the Father wanted Jesus in Jerusalem. It was time to bring the gospel to that dangerous place.
There will be moments in your own life when you too will have to face difficult choices. The challenge might be to go to the doctor’s office to find out whether you have cancer. That challenge may be taking that fin exam that will determine your future. You may have to reprimand a co-worker, ask questions about a hidden past, or make a life-altering decision. Like the followers of Jesus, you may be afraid. For you, it may be the trepidation of an upcoming trip or move or change of address or meeting. Whatever it is, remember Jesus’ action in that fearful moment. Because Jesus knew His Heavenly Father wanted Him in Jerusalem, Jesus “led the way”. He showed no fear. It was God the Father’s will for Jesus to be there. When you face your difficult day, don’t be afraid. Hold your head high. If you are following God’s will, where God wants you to be, God’s Spirit will walk with you. Have courage. Be at peace in your soul. You go with the blessing and watchful eyes of the Lord!
Rev. James Brown tells this story about one fearful moment in his life that he will never forget…
“Some years ago when I was learning to fly, my instructor told me to put the plane into a steep and extended dive. I was totally unprepared for what was about to happen. After a brief time the engine stalled, and the plane began to plunge out-of-control. It soon became evident that the instructor was not going to help me at all. After a few seconds, which seemed like eternity, my mind began to function again. I quickly corrected the situation. Immediately I turned to the instructor and began to vent my fearful frustrations on him.
He very calmly said to me, “There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of. If you want to learn to fly, go up there and do it again.” At that moment God seemed to be saying to me, “Remember this. As you serve Me, there is no situation you can get yourself into that I cannot get you out of. If you trust me, you will be all right.” That lesson has been proven true in my ministry many times over the years.” (“Discoveries”, Fall, 1991, Vol. 2, No. 4)
You may not have to plunge out of control in an airplane to face your fears. Your fears may come before speaking to a large group, being questioned by a reporter, going to a job interview, going to court, taking a test, learning a new job, or some other big hurdle. Your tendency may be to run far away, yell at a mentor, or let your mind be paralyzed with endless worry. In those moments God wants you to face, rest your soul in the arms of the Lord. Say your prayers along the way. Let God’s Spirit fill you with courage. Trust in the provision of the Lord. Face what you need to face. Go where God sends you without hesitation. Let God direct your steps.
The scripture for today gives us one other tidbit of information about Jesus’ actions in Mark 10:32. The scripture ends with Jesus gathering all the disciples together and telling them “what was going to happen to Him” in Jerusalem. Jesus was going to have to suffer and die. Then, he was going to be resurrected after three days (Mark 10:33-34). Jesus knew the risks perfectly. He knew what lie ahead. He was willing to face His challenge head on. He wanted the disciples to be fully aware of the dangers. He wanted them to know it was God the Father’s will that they were going up to Jerusalem.
In those moments when God desires that you face a difficult challenge, don’t be surprised if God clues you in to the pitfalls ahead or the spiritual battles you will face. God already knows what lies before you. At important points, God will clue you in to the future, giving you a glimpse of what is coming your way. Don’t be afraid. Don’t let it alter your steps. Just go where God wants you to go and face what God wants you to face, fulfilling God’s will for your life. Jesus explained for the disciples about the journey ahead, about the dangers and the blessings. Jesus may give you hints of the journey ahead as well. Use that information wisely. Cherish the fact that Jesus knows where you are going and has your best intentions in mind.
When little Johnny stole a candy bar from the grocery store, Mom found the leftover chocolate smeared around his mouth. After confessing that he took the candy bar from the store, his mother marched him back into the store to admit what he had done and to apologize. She then paid for his stolen property. The whole while, Johnny’s face was filled with both terror and tears. After the incident, Johnny’s mother told him how proud she was that he told the truth and said he was sorry. Johnny looked at her and said, “Yeah, but that made me feel so bad that I’m too sick in my stomach to eat lunch.”
Doing what’s right by God may at times make you feel sick to your stomach, worried, or afraid. Still, you must forge ahead to accomplish God’s will. Jesus faced Jerusalem straight away. He did not hesitate nor go off on a tangent. He led the way for the disciples on that day.
Don’t hesitate to do what is right by the Lord. Don’t be afraid if you are doing God’s will. You might just be surprised at the doors God opens for you or the peace that passes all understanding that will come later (Philippians 4:7). Take the steps you need to take. Go where God leads you. Jesus will go before you… of that you can be certain.
The scripture for today from the gospel of Mark displays the fear of Jesus’ followers as they turned toward Jerusalem. Mark 10:32 states that as Jesus and his followers “were on their way up to Jerusalem…. those who followed were afraid.” And they had a right to be. Jerusalem was an unknown force to be reckoned with; the powers that be in Jerusalem could bring judgement. While those who followed Jesus grew fearful at the prospects, what is Jesus seen doing? The scripture tells us that Jesus led the way. He walked before the whole group. He was not being tentative. His face was set; His mind made up. He was determined. Jesus knew that His future lay in facing His challenges in Jerusalem. Jesus showed no fear. He gave no sign of hesitancy. God the Father wanted Jesus in Jerusalem. It was time to bring the gospel to that dangerous place.
There will be moments in your own life when you too will have to face difficult choices. The challenge might be to go to the doctor’s office to find out whether you have cancer. That challenge may be taking that fin exam that will determine your future. You may have to reprimand a co-worker, ask questions about a hidden past, or make a life-altering decision. Like the followers of Jesus, you may be afraid. For you, it may be the trepidation of an upcoming trip or move or change of address or meeting. Whatever it is, remember Jesus’ action in that fearful moment. Because Jesus knew His Heavenly Father wanted Him in Jerusalem, Jesus “led the way”. He showed no fear. It was God the Father’s will for Jesus to be there. When you face your difficult day, don’t be afraid. Hold your head high. If you are following God’s will, where God wants you to be, God’s Spirit will walk with you. Have courage. Be at peace in your soul. You go with the blessing and watchful eyes of the Lord!
Rev. James Brown tells this story about one fearful moment in his life that he will never forget…
“Some years ago when I was learning to fly, my instructor told me to put the plane into a steep and extended dive. I was totally unprepared for what was about to happen. After a brief time the engine stalled, and the plane began to plunge out-of-control. It soon became evident that the instructor was not going to help me at all. After a few seconds, which seemed like eternity, my mind began to function again. I quickly corrected the situation. Immediately I turned to the instructor and began to vent my fearful frustrations on him.
He very calmly said to me, “There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of. If you want to learn to fly, go up there and do it again.” At that moment God seemed to be saying to me, “Remember this. As you serve Me, there is no situation you can get yourself into that I cannot get you out of. If you trust me, you will be all right.” That lesson has been proven true in my ministry many times over the years.” (“Discoveries”, Fall, 1991, Vol. 2, No. 4)
You may not have to plunge out of control in an airplane to face your fears. Your fears may come before speaking to a large group, being questioned by a reporter, going to a job interview, going to court, taking a test, learning a new job, or some other big hurdle. Your tendency may be to run far away, yell at a mentor, or let your mind be paralyzed with endless worry. In those moments God wants you to face, rest your soul in the arms of the Lord. Say your prayers along the way. Let God’s Spirit fill you with courage. Trust in the provision of the Lord. Face what you need to face. Go where God sends you without hesitation. Let God direct your steps.
The scripture for today gives us one other tidbit of information about Jesus’ actions in Mark 10:32. The scripture ends with Jesus gathering all the disciples together and telling them “what was going to happen to Him” in Jerusalem. Jesus was going to have to suffer and die. Then, he was going to be resurrected after three days (Mark 10:33-34). Jesus knew the risks perfectly. He knew what lie ahead. He was willing to face His challenge head on. He wanted the disciples to be fully aware of the dangers. He wanted them to know it was God the Father’s will that they were going up to Jerusalem.
In those moments when God desires that you face a difficult challenge, don’t be surprised if God clues you in to the pitfalls ahead or the spiritual battles you will face. God already knows what lies before you. At important points, God will clue you in to the future, giving you a glimpse of what is coming your way. Don’t be afraid. Don’t let it alter your steps. Just go where God wants you to go and face what God wants you to face, fulfilling God’s will for your life. Jesus explained for the disciples about the journey ahead, about the dangers and the blessings. Jesus may give you hints of the journey ahead as well. Use that information wisely. Cherish the fact that Jesus knows where you are going and has your best intentions in mind.
When little Johnny stole a candy bar from the grocery store, Mom found the leftover chocolate smeared around his mouth. After confessing that he took the candy bar from the store, his mother marched him back into the store to admit what he had done and to apologize. She then paid for his stolen property. The whole while, Johnny’s face was filled with both terror and tears. After the incident, Johnny’s mother told him how proud she was that he told the truth and said he was sorry. Johnny looked at her and said, “Yeah, but that made me feel so bad that I’m too sick in my stomach to eat lunch.”
Doing what’s right by God may at times make you feel sick to your stomach, worried, or afraid. Still, you must forge ahead to accomplish God’s will. Jesus faced Jerusalem straight away. He did not hesitate nor go off on a tangent. He led the way for the disciples on that day.
Don’t hesitate to do what is right by the Lord. Don’t be afraid if you are doing God’s will. You might just be surprised at the doors God opens for you or the peace that passes all understanding that will come later (Philippians 4:7). Take the steps you need to take. Go where God leads you. Jesus will go before you… of that you can be certain.