Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Are we ready to take up the cross?
Mark 10: 32-34They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. – vs.32
Here is, Christ's prediction of His own sufferings; this string He harped much upon, though in the ears of His disciples it sounded very harsh and unpleasing.
We see here how bold He was; when they were going up to Jerusalem, Jesus went before them, as the captain of our salvation, that was now to be made perfect through suffering. Thus He showed Himself forward to go on with His undertaking, even when He came to the hardest part of it. Jesus went before them, and they were amazed. They began now to consider what imminent danger they ran themselves into, when they went to Jerusalem; how very malicious the Sanhedrim which sat there was against their Master and them; and they were ready to tremble at the thought of it.
When we see ourselves entering upon sufferings, it is encouraging to see our Master go before us. Or, He went before them, and therefore they were amazed; they admired to see with what cheerfulness and alacrity He went on, though He knew He was going to suffer and die. Christ's courage and constancy in going on with His undertaking for our salvation, are, and will be, the wonder of all His disciples.
2. We see here how timorous and faint-hearted His disciples were; As they followed, they were afraid, afraid for themselves, as being apprehensive of their own danger; and justly might they be ashamed of their being thus afraid.
3. We see here what method He took to silence their fears. He did not go about to make the matter better than it was, nor to feed them with hopes that He might escape the storm, but told them again what He had often told them before, the things that should happen to Him. He knew the worst of it, and therefore went on thus boldly, and He will let them know the worst of it. Come, be not afraid; for, (1.) There is no remedy, the matter is determined, and cannot be avoided. (2.) It is only the Son of man that shall suffer; their time of suffering was now at hand, He will now provide for their security. (3.) He shall rise again; the issue of His sufferings will be glorious to Himself, and advantageous to all that are His. Christ had a perfect foresight, not only of His own death, but of all the aggravating circumstances of it; and yet He thus went forth to meet it.
If Jesus would gratify all our desires, it would soon appear that we desire fame or authority, and are unwilling to taste of His cup, or to have His baptism; and should often be ruined by having our prayers answered. But He loves us, and will only give His people what is good for them. (courtesy: Matthew Henry Commentary)
We see here how bold He was; when they were going up to Jerusalem, Jesus went before them, as the captain of our salvation, that was now to be made perfect through suffering. Thus He showed Himself forward to go on with His undertaking, even when He came to the hardest part of it. Jesus went before them, and they were amazed. They began now to consider what imminent danger they ran themselves into, when they went to Jerusalem; how very malicious the Sanhedrim which sat there was against their Master and them; and they were ready to tremble at the thought of it.
When we see ourselves entering upon sufferings, it is encouraging to see our Master go before us. Or, He went before them, and therefore they were amazed; they admired to see with what cheerfulness and alacrity He went on, though He knew He was going to suffer and die. Christ's courage and constancy in going on with His undertaking for our salvation, are, and will be, the wonder of all His disciples.
2. We see here how timorous and faint-hearted His disciples were; As they followed, they were afraid, afraid for themselves, as being apprehensive of their own danger; and justly might they be ashamed of their being thus afraid.
3. We see here what method He took to silence their fears. He did not go about to make the matter better than it was, nor to feed them with hopes that He might escape the storm, but told them again what He had often told them before, the things that should happen to Him. He knew the worst of it, and therefore went on thus boldly, and He will let them know the worst of it. Come, be not afraid; for, (1.) There is no remedy, the matter is determined, and cannot be avoided. (2.) It is only the Son of man that shall suffer; their time of suffering was now at hand, He will now provide for their security. (3.) He shall rise again; the issue of His sufferings will be glorious to Himself, and advantageous to all that are His. Christ had a perfect foresight, not only of His own death, but of all the aggravating circumstances of it; and yet He thus went forth to meet it.
If Jesus would gratify all our desires, it would soon appear that we desire fame or authority, and are unwilling to taste of His cup, or to have His baptism; and should often be ruined by having our prayers answered. But He loves us, and will only give His people what is good for them. (courtesy: Matthew Henry Commentary)
Prayer
Dear Lord, enable us, that we may have wisdom and grace to know how to suffer with Christ. Amen.
Thought for the Day
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” – Matt 16:24-25
George Sam
Immanuel MTC, VA
George Sam
Immanuel MTC, VA