Bible League: Living His Word Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid.— Mark 10:32 NKJV Jesus and the disciples are on the move. From the valley of Judea across the Jordan River up to Jerusalem. A journey upward of some 3,500 feet. Our Lord had already spoken before of His imminent death to the disciples. He gives them more details as the religious leaders in Jerusalem would condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the gentiles (v. 33), and that He would be mocked, spit on (v. 34), crucified, and ultimately rise from the dead to life again. The glorious and joyful moment of victory over death. As I read this verse, I receive a beautiful picture of our own faith journey in our Lord’s move to Jerusalem. Faith is a climb as we continually move upward in our strength of faith, purity of faith, and peace of faith in our journey through life as a Christian. The climb can be graceful and easy at times, steady and flowing, but it can also be very challenging and difficult at times. We take heart, though, in our Lord as we find courage and strength in this moment. He is ascending to Jerusalem to begin His week of passion in saving mankind. He will knowingly face physical and emotional atrocities. And yet we see our Lord going ahead of the disciples with vigor and determination. Leading the disciples forward. Moving toward God’s will for the redemption of all. I think of all the brave and courageous soldiers who have run into battle with rifles and bayonets determined to mete out victory over their enemy combatants. I feel touched by the fireman and first responders who sped toward ground zero on 9/11 and the many who then climbed the Twin Towers determined to rescue and remedy the catastrophe playing out live to the entire world. I am in awe of the Christian workers around the world courageously and enthusiastically carrying on the work of the Lord in spite of persecution, suffering, condemnation, and even death for some. Whatever your journey of faith beloved of Christ, the Lord is leading your climb. Yesterday, today, and forever. He is showing you the strength and determination, dedication and sovereignty of God who is in full control of your journey. Even if the climb seems to be too much, the Lord is with you. The Apostle Paul concluded in Romans 8:18; “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory of what shall be revealed to us.” The disciples were amazed how Jesus had so much energy moving ahead of them on the climb to Jerusalem. It says in our verse they were also afraid as they followed behind. Perhaps Jesus and the disciples had the prophet’s words in mind from Isaiah 50:6-7 which says, “I will let those people beat me and pull the hair from my beard. I will not hide my face when they say bad things to me and spit at me. The Lord God will help and the bad things they say about me will not hurt me. I will be strong. I know I will not be disappointed” (ERV). The disciples knew intuitively that this journey to Jerusalem would not be like any other. Their fears are real, but Jesus fortifies their strength. So be encouraged beloved of Christ. Be thankful and be grateful. God chose you for the journey set before you in faith. He reigns over all things. His kingdom is close. His plan is righteous, and it was Jesus who sped to the cross for you. Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California USA Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Chronicles 7, 8, 9 2 Chronicles 7 -- Fire from Heaven; Glory in the Temple; Feast of Dedication; God's Promise NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Chronicles 8 -- Solomon's Additional Accomplishments NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Chronicles 9 -- Visit of the Queen of Sheba; Solomon's Splendor and Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 13:1-17 John 13 -- Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet, Predicts His Betrayal and Peter's Denial NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.Insight Some of those in the crowd were experts at telling others what to do, but they missed the central point of God's laws themselves. Jesus made it clear, however, that obeying God's law is more important than explaining it. Challenge It's much easier to study God's laws and tell others to obey them than to put them into practice. How are you doing at obeying God yourself? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Matthew 19:16 Good Master.If the young man in the gospel used this title in speaking to our Lord, how much more fitly may I thus address him! He is indeed my Master in both senses, a ruling Master and a teaching Master. I delight to run upon his errands, and to sit at his feet. I am both his servant and his disciple, and count it my highest honor to own the double character. If he should ask me why I call him "good," I should have a ready answer. It is true that "there is none good but one, that is, God," but then he is God, and all the goodness of Deity shines forth in him. In my experience, I have found him good, so good, indeed, that all the good I have has come to me through him. He was good to me when I was dead in sin, for he raised me by his Spirit's power; he has been good to me in all my needs, trials, struggles, and sorrows. Never could there be a better Master, for his service is freedom, his rule is love: I wish I were one thousandth part as good a servant. When he teaches me as my Rabbi, he is unspeakably good, his doctrine is divine, his manner is condescending, his spirit is gentleness itself. No error mingles with his instruction--pure is the golden truth which he brings forth, and all his teachings lead to goodness, sanctifying as well as edifying the disciple. Angels find him a good Master and delight to pay their homage at his footstool. The ancient saints proved him to be a good Master, and each of them rejoiced to sing, "I am thy servant, O Lord!" My own humble testimony must certainly be to the same effect. I will bear this witness before my friends and neighbours, for possibly they may be led by my testimony to seek my Lord Jesus as their Master. O that they would do so! They would never repent so wise a deed. If they would but take his easy yoke, they would find themselves in so royal a service that they would enlist in it forever. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 16:5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot.Romans 8:17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 1 Corinthians 3:21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Numbers 8:20 Thus did Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the sons of Israel to the Levites; according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the sons of Israel did to them. Psalm 73:25,26 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. • My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Psalm 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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