20/10/2019 - JESUS GOING BEFORE THEM

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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. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: Mark 10:32

After answering the rich young man, who sought to know what was lacking in order to inherit eternal life, and seeing him go away sad, Jesus said to the disciples: “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God(Mark 10:24). Amazed, Peter stated that they left everything to follow Him (v. 28). The Master then revealed to them that they would receive a hundred times more in this life than what they left behind for His sake and the Gospel. Moreover, in the hereafter they would enjoy eternal life (v. 30, 31).

However, a curious incident occurred between them. As they walked toward Jerusalem, they suddenly noticed that the Lord was walking far ahead of them. It amazed and frightened them. Now, they did not know it was the last time He would take such a journey. No doubt seeing Jesus going far ahead made them uncomfortable. Why, sometimes, has He not walked with us, but in front of us?

Certainly, the explanation that they would receive a hundred times more meant nothing to them. Then, for being ignored, Christ could no longer walk with them. Have we acted in the same way towards the Lord’s guidance given by His Word? That act is an example to take the Scriptures seriously. Two only walk together if they are agreed  (Amos 3:3)!

To be left behind by the Lord is something serious. Far from Him, we will be targets of some work of the enemy, and that is bad. We must obey His directions, because they are fundamental to our success. Despising divine ministry almost always leads us to lose the Most High´s company. A foolish decision will bring us great loss!

The disciples were amazed when they saw Jesus go before them, but they did not realize the danger of this distancing. Has your lack of attention to the Word kept the Lord from you? If so, immediately try to seek His presence; otherwise you will not have the daily bread granted by the Father when we ask Him. Without the proper food, we will be weak!

The Savior’s love watches over us all the time. Soon, He called the twelve aside and began to tell them about future events in Jerusalem: His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. But like the other times, the disciples asked Him nothing. We cannot blame them for not understanding what Christ said, because we do not always understand His guidelines.

Let the facts narrated in this verse serve as examples! Thus, we will learn to draw near to the Lord as we miss His presence with us. Then, the enemy will never reach us with temptations and sufferings. If we want, we will have the best (Isaiah 1:19)!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares