Word@Work 172 - Mark 14:27-28
Published: Wed, 07/23/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 14:27-28 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." (NIV)
From, "one of you will betray me" to "you will all fall away": it seems that Jesus is not letting them off the hook! They are all in the same boat; they are all more interested in their own skins than that of Jesus. We know that in the end, they all left Him and Peter spectacularly denied that he even knew Jesus. Again, their falling away (or more accurately, 'being scandalised by Jesus') was their own free will reaction: but the prophecy of Scripture from Zechariah 13:7 foretold what would happen. And it did!
However, as they are walking out into the darkness of the Mount of Olives, Jesus does not let the moment pass without offering real hope. He clearly contrasts their weakest moment to come, with His strongest. "But after I have risen ...", is Jesus' promise to keep on leading, going ahead of them so that he would be ready to greet and welcome them. Interestingly, that experience would also be a physically worked out example of the great resurrection of the church on the last day, when Jesus will come to claim His Bride. It was great training for the embryo leaders of the early church, who often encouraged the Christians to keep looking ahead to Jesus, whatever the circumstances.
Whatever may have been in our past, the Lord Jesus is still ahead of us. Unlike the heroes of the world religions, Jesus is not just a revered figure of yesterday; He has gone on ahead of us to prepare a place for us and to welcome us on the final day (cf John 14:1-6). That is the hope of every believer, and without that we can only descend into the squalor of a troubled world to cope as best we can. The old hymn says, "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessing all mine and ten thousand beside!" It is right. Even though you may have fallen away, Jesus is still ahead of you, and you can still come back to Him. It's worth telling your friend that, too!
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You that in Christ I have a confidence about the future, whatever the circumstances. Despite my failure, Your grace is amazing; and I ask for Your help to keep me always looking ahead to Jesus, and sharing my confidence with others. In His Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
From, "one of you will betray me" to "you will all fall away": it seems that Jesus is not letting them off the hook! They are all in the same boat; they are all more interested in their own skins than that of Jesus. We know that in the end, they all left Him and Peter spectacularly denied that he even knew Jesus. Again, their falling away (or more accurately, 'being scandalised by Jesus') was their own free will reaction: but the prophecy of Scripture from Zechariah 13:7 foretold what would happen. And it did!
However, as they are walking out into the darkness of the Mount of Olives, Jesus does not let the moment pass without offering real hope. He clearly contrasts their weakest moment to come, with His strongest. "But after I have risen ...", is Jesus' promise to keep on leading, going ahead of them so that he would be ready to greet and welcome them. Interestingly, that experience would also be a physically worked out example of the great resurrection of the church on the last day, when Jesus will come to claim His Bride. It was great training for the embryo leaders of the early church, who often encouraged the Christians to keep looking ahead to Jesus, whatever the circumstances.
Whatever may have been in our past, the Lord Jesus is still ahead of us. Unlike the heroes of the world religions, Jesus is not just a revered figure of yesterday; He has gone on ahead of us to prepare a place for us and to welcome us on the final day (cf John 14:1-6). That is the hope of every believer, and without that we can only descend into the squalor of a troubled world to cope as best we can. The old hymn says, "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessing all mine and ten thousand beside!" It is right. Even though you may have fallen away, Jesus is still ahead of you, and you can still come back to Him. It's worth telling your friend that, too!
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You that in Christ I have a confidence about the future, whatever the circumstances. Despite my failure, Your grace is amazing; and I ask for Your help to keep me always looking ahead to Jesus, and sharing my confidence with others. In His Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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