By: Rick Sigler
Scripture:
Matthew 20: 17-19- Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day, he will be raised to life.”
Observation:
This the third account in Matthew that Jesus predicts his crucifixion and resurrection. It tells me how important it was to him, and to repeat it to his disciples, knowing they didn’t get it the first two previous times. More importantly, these two verses show his willingness as the Lamb and Servant of God to surrender and yield everything, to do the will of the Father. By submitting to the father daily, 24/7, is how God could use him to do his will throughout his life. His love for all humanity is unexplainable. When I see Jesus face to face, the first thing I will say to him is, “ Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me.”
Application:
A few years ago when I was working on a project in Honokowai, Maui, I use to see a shirtless man in shorts, walking on the side of the main highway carrying a makeshift cross on his shoulder with the bottom of the cross dragging on the ground behind him and holding a bible. He would walk for several miles, stop, read his bible, then walk back several miles where he started. I must do that spiritually every day. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all this will be added unto you. Trust and obey.
Prayer:
Help me crucify my flesh daily so the I can hear and walk with you in truth and spirit each day. I want to submit every to you, not withholding anything from you, so that I can have your joy and peace that you promise. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.