A Clear Prediction That Was Not So Clear

Text: Luke 9:18-22 Theme: Jesus explicitly said he would rise again, yet his disciples missed it. Key verses: “‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.'” (v. 20) “And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected…and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.'” What God said to me: Dwayne, I know you sit there in amazement wondering how the disciples apparently forgot all about what Jesus said. How could they be so depressed and hopeless after his crucifixion and so utterly surprized at his resurrection? He had clearly and repeated told them he would come back to life, and he even told them it would be on the third day. My son, do not be so quick to judge them for their lack of faith and unattentativeness. Rather, put yourself in their shoes. No one had ever done something like Jesus was speaking of. No one had come back to life on his own. Granted, they had seen Jesus raise others from dead. But this was different. They couldn’t fathom or in any relate to what he was telling them. Jesus knew this well. But he told them anyway because he knew that after the resurrection all those predictions he had seeded in them would blossom into exravagant faith and confirmation of his diety. At times I have done the same with you. How often have you read something in my Word or has some godly person told you something about yourself and your future that you in no way comprehended, much less believed? Then, how many times have you looked back later to finally realize and comprehend what I was trying to comminicate to you all along? The disciples were still a bit confused at this point in their journey with Jesus. They (Peter) knew he was the Christ. Yet, they did not understand what all that really entailed. Dwayne, you know I am all-knowing, all-powerful, only God and that my Son is Lord of all. But you cannot possibly understand what encompasses regarding this world and your life. Just read and study my Word carefully. Believe what I say to you whether it makes good sense to you or not. Trust me to do exceedingly abundantly in and through you in the future — all for my glory. Discover just how full of (foretold) surprizes I really am! What I said to God: Lord, I am not sure I fully grasp what You’ve said to me today. And I’m sure I don’t know all the implications and reasons. I will listen closely and read veraciously. I will search for Your wisdom as for hidden treasure. However, if I’m understanding this correctly, I may not always realize or interpret it to be treasure or even appreciate what You are showing me until much later down the road. That’s a great reason to take good notes every time I sense You speaking! Praise You, Lord, for letting us in on what You’re doing and will do! Thank You that You said we are blessed if we read Revelation — not if we comprehend it!