Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” Proverbs 16:20 NIV
Jesus’ final day as a free man. His last chance to instruct His disciples on what they needed to know, to do, and how to make life work.
Jesus knew His time with His disciples was limited. Note, His time left was His focus, not what happens when His time runs out.
As a cancer survivor who statistically is not supposed to be here, I can tell you, when you think the end is near, it’s easy to forget about others and focus on yourself.
Yet, Jesus utilized every teachable moment. He instructed His disciples to prepare for the Passover celebration. Even though He could have argued He was facing a personal crisis, He still obeyed God’s command to celebrate the Passover. (Luke 22:7-13)
He also seized this opportunity to instruct them through example on how to serve others: that no task is too low or too insignificant. (John 13:2-7)
He also foretold several key events that would be important to the disciples. At the time of instruction, His words may not have made sense, but they gave them much to sift through the rest of the disciple’s lives.
When the disciples recalled Jesus’ final actions as a free man, they would remember Jesus leading them in hymns (worship) and of Jesus going to Gethsemane to pray. (Matthew 26:30)
What a legacy Jesus left for His disciples, and for us!
Jesus’ faith that life was not all about Him, His wants, His desires, but about God’s will gave Him the courage to follow God’s instructions. Even when knowingly facing death, Jesus trusted God to help Him accomplish what needed done before He was taken.
And God met every need.
Even in the Garden of Gethsemane when the disciples fell asleep and failed at comforting Jesus and failed at keeping watch and praying – God provided His comfort to fortify Jesus to calmly handle Judas’ betrayal, His own arrest, and the disciples’ desertion.
And God never left Him.
Reflections:
Consider Jesus’ focus this day: On the time that remained. How does that inspire you?
How often, when facing a crisis of heart or mind, do I consider not following God’s command? When that crisis hits, can I justify not going to church? Not serving how I promised? Or, not tithing? To borrow a quote from Proverbs 31 Ministry- Our feelings are indicators, not dictators. As difficult as it may feel, we need to follow Jesus’ example and follow God’s commands.
The last line of this devotionals reads, And God never left Him. God promises in Deuteronomy 31:6 that He “will never leave us nor forsake us.” Do you truly believe that promise?
Power Verse: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV
How do you define “being strong and courageous?”
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the example of Your son. Thank You that You never left Him, even in a darker day than most of us could ever fathom, You were there. Please help me to remain strong and courageous in faith and to practice what You command. Thank You that You provide what I need each moment, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thanks for reading! Please return by Monday, March 21, for the next post.
A good reminder and I actually read a couple of the Scriptures this morning! Thank you.
Thank you, Terri! Have a blessed week.