THOUGHTS FROM MATTHEW

May 29

Text: Matthew 17:22, 23

And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day."  And they were deeply grieved. (NASB)

Have you ever accused someone of being “shortsighted?”  What did you mean?  Usually the accuser means the accused does not look far enough ahead.  The person only sees what is very near.  When this is true, the person likely sees only potential problems, and never sees potential benefits.  Often potential benefits are just beyond potential problems.  Though the potential for the benefits may be equal to the potential for problems, the person does nothing because of fear of problems.

When Jesus finally penetrated the disciples’ understanding that his death and resurrection would happen, they were grieved.  They could not get past the concept of his dying.  They much enjoyed being with Jesus.  They had many expectations for him and them, but all their expectations were based on his physical life.  His dying was not in those expectations.

Never could they imagine that his death would produce greater blessings than their expectations.  All they saw was sorrow in his dying, not blessings in his resurrection.  After all, can there be joys greater than “having it all right now?”  Is the “all of eternity” to be compared to the “all of now?”

Never mind that God’s purposes would be reality, or God’s promise to Abraham would be fulfilled, or Israel’s divine destiny would be achieved, or death would be defeated, or they would be resurrected.  If Jesus died, their “now” dreams died because their expectations ended.

Never (then) did they see something better than their earthly dreams.  Do you?  How is your sight?

Suggestion for reflection: What blessings do you see in your death?  (Read John 3:16-21.)

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