Tiptoeing mischievously toward me, my son leaned down and placed something near the base of the chair where I was sitting and then scampered away. Looking down, I smiled at his childlike belief in my supposed ignorance. There on the floor was the homing unit to his spy gear listening device. Though he would hear little more than the turning of pages or tapping of the keyboard, he remained unaffected in his resolve to listen in and get some “inside information.” He simply loved the mystery of being able to be somewhere without really being there.
Preparing for His crucifixion and ascension, Jesus told the disciples some inside information pertaining to what was coming and how they were to respond (John 16:4). They tried to make sense of God’s plan based on what they could see, however, and “failed to grasp what He was talking about” (Luke 18:34). Even Peter—the one whom Jesus named “the rock”—boldly questioned the methods through which the Messiah would be revealed (Mark 8:31-33). The death of Jesus wasn’t in their plans.
If we’re honest, most of us want to see what’s ahead so we can be prepared. Desiring control, we want God to tell us where we’re going and when we’ll arrive.
Jesus didn’t give the disciples the pieces of the puzzle ahead of time so they could be comfortable. He gave them inside information for a purpose outside of themselves. He knew they would be the ones who would turn the world upside down.
The gospel is indeed a great mystery, and God has placed us as believers at its core (Ephesians 1:9). We may not know tomorrow’s exact events, but God has revealed His heart to us. Likewise, our hearts are revealed by our response to the information He gives us.
More:
• Deuteronomy 29:29
• Romans 16:25-26
• Ephesians 3:2-6
Next:
If you had been one of the disciples, how would you have responded to Jesus’ words about the coming events? How has Jesus prepared you for the future?
loananna on April 1, 2010 at 9:02 am
I would like to think that in hearing his words my ears would have truely heard what he was saying, but i know i might have acted like those he preached to. Sometimes to hear something that is new to us we choose to maybe not believe it.
This past year i have been brought to my knees with only able to look up, the Lord provides strength for me day by day. I do know my faith has grown stronger! He does have a plan for each of us, keep him close in your heart and he will lead your way..Thank you Lord for being you and loving us so much, you went ahead and died for our sins. I thank you and love you all the days of my life…
regina franklin on April 2, 2010 at 4:24 pm
God is so patient with us, and for that I am deeply thankful. You are right when you say that even if we had heard, we may have responded in the same way. I want to choose to hear His Word and live! Deep valleys can be exhausting and frustrating, but I am learning that the valleys do not determine my destiny–my choice in the valley is what brings growth (or atrophy) in my life.
May His Word sustain you as He leads you beside still waters.
missyp on April 1, 2010 at 9:16 am
i would also like to think that i would have been able to hear what Jesus was saying and trust in His provision, but i imagine that i would have been filled with fear (both for myself and for him) and a serious case of what’s happening next?! it has been so amazing to look back at my life now and see how God has prepared a way for me. there is a specific area of my life right now with my family that is really painful. But God placed people in my life who are also family to me and it’s been so awesome to have their support, love, and friendship. people who God sent to love me for me and not for who i’m expected to be. in any case, it’s humbling to think that God cares about all of these details of my life and wants me to have an abundant life! thank you Lord 🙂
regina franklin on April 2, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Psalms 68:6a says, “God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.” Praise the Lord for His provision as He takes you through this difficult season with your family. May His name be made glorious through all your heartache and may you loot the enemy for the Kingdom of God.
fieldlily on April 1, 2010 at 3:38 pm
God has revealed His mystery to us that we may share it with the whole world. But if we didn’t have the Bible to teach us and to look back on all that happened then, we would not “get it” either. Sometimes I still don’t get it, and I say “Huh?”. Then the Lord reveals something to me and I have an “A ha!” moment.
I am so thankful that the Lord is patient with me because, usually, I am either “jumping the gun” and anticipating what He wants me to do (mostly wrong), or I just don’t get it and I don’t move at all.
I like to know where I am going so I struggle with waiting. I need to remind myself that having His peace is a sacrifice of trust. Sometimes He needs to remind me of that fact, and that He will reveal things in His time. Again, I give thanks to God for His perfect timing and His patience.
regina franklin on April 2, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Waiting is so hard to do! Just when I think I have the “be still and know” thing down pat, the Lord shows me that I still have a lot of places to do some letting go. It’s easy to see things around me that need to change and believe it is my responsibility to do so. Even with the best of intentions, my efforts can often create more pain for myself and sometimes others as well.