Episode 482

TODAY’S READING

21 From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God but merely human concerns.

Matthew 16:21-23

 

This was a fitting verse for us to read as we started our Easter series because I wanted us to locate the time in which Jesus explained and prophesied his death before it happened. And so, this is a couple of chapters before he goes into Jerusalem. And so we get confirmation here that the disciples knew that he was going to be killed and raised to life. On the third day, it was very, very precise, and we reading this story can look back and see this, and then we can read the Easter story and be a little bit confused. 

 

How is it that when he was killed, the disciples lost so much hope that they went back to living their normal lives? And we’re gonna read all of those verses in the coming days. But this is one of those pillar moments that I hold on to, you know, how is it that they lost all hope? Does this happen to us today? This Jesus gives us forewarning of the miracles that he’s going to perform in our lives and when we are in the waiting period and that season of waiting? Do we forget the words that he has spoken to us? In my years, I’ve grown to know that when He speaks, it happens. He does not speak in vain. He uses his words that he chooses them very carefully. So when he speaks, may we write it down? May we meditate on it. They we remind ourselves of the promises that He has given us. May we not forget what he has promised us and when we don’t receive that, may we remember that he doesn’t speak in vain. So if he said it, it’s going to happen. Maybe not in the way we imagined. But it will come to pass. So if you’re wondering, you know, does he still speak? The answer is yes. He speaks through His word. He speaks through circumstances. He speaks through the renewal of our minds. He is alive today, and we should be excited to leaving closer and to take him on his word. 

 

We should be excited because when he speaks, it happens. And so, it is a glorious, glorious part of our relationship with Christ. He is so exact. He predicted the death to the third day he will be rice is raised to life and so it is no different from what he says to you and me today. So let us lean in a little bit closer when he is speaking to us; I know that a lot of people don’t know his voice, and I hope that this is one outlet and when she can learn his voice when I encourage you to continue to read the Bible on your own, to continue to lean into your churches and into your small groups and to find the wisdom in His Word and when he speaks through the people around you.

 

Prayer

Father God, we love you so much. And we know that you are a perfect Father; we know that your words are chosen carefully. We know that when you say something that comes to pass, we know that we can keep you to Your Word. We know that everything that you have ever said over our lives comes to pass. So, Lord, we are holding on to the promises that you have over us. We’re holding on to the gifts and the blessings that you have given us and those that are yet to come. We absolutely love you, and we thank you so much. We are excited to prepare our hearts to learn more about you. We are excited to receive all that you have for us. We are a blessing because you blessed us first, so help us and be that to someone today. We love you so much. And we pray this all in your son’s Mighty Name, Amen!