Luke 18:31-34 (NIV)
31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33 they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.My daily devotion this morning on Luke 18:31 was titled “The Compelling purpose of God”, referring to Jesus’ purpose on earth to suffer and die for our sins.
However, what spoke to me was not only the fact that Jesus knew in advance that His entry into Jerusalem is suicidal, but that He did not even hesitate. In fact, He was obedient unto death.
On the other hand, I also noticed that the disciples, who had no idea about their role in the history of mankind (verse 34), also obediently followed Jesus’ command to enter Jerusalem; which led to the last supper and the receiving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Two thoughts entered my mind:
When was the last time I chose to be obedient, knowing God’s Will and His intended consequence?
When were the other times that I chose to be obedient, without knowing anything about God’s intended out come?
How much Faith is required in either case for me to be able to respond with...
“Here I am Lord, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) ?
Will you share?
jane
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I think Apostle Paul also taught by example :
ReplyDeleteObedience ......to journey to Rome, knowing very well that it would be "the end" for him. (Acts 27)
Obedience ...... without knowing what is ahead, when detoured by the Holy Spirit to preach in Bithynia (Acts 15:6 -8)