Have you ever known there was something coming on your schedule, and you didn’t want to face it? Have you looked for options to avoid facing it? Is there an event you know about today that is coming in the near future that you would like to avoid?
We all face something at some point in our life that we would prefer to avoid. It could be a severe illness of a family member. Perhaps a relationship breakup. We may be forced into changing jobs or making a move. We can all think of something we don’t want to go through.
As we see in today’s passage, Jesus also was facing an event that was daunting. He knew His gruesome death was coming. He knew He was going to face false accusations and a rigged trial. He knew the religious elite were going to be against Him. He knew the general population of the town was going to shout for His death. He knew the Roman governor was going to sentence Him. He knew the Roman soldiers were going to flog Him. He knew He was going to suffer an agonizing death.
As we face events we would prefer we could avoid, we can take courage in knowing that Jesus is with us and He understands. We know that God will never leave us. Our situations can be very bad, tough, and daunting. We may experience fear that threatens to overwhelm us. Yet, we can overcome the fear with Jesus beside us, the Holy Spirit within us, and the Father overseeing all that takes place.
Going through tough situations is not easy. Facing those difficult and draining situations will strengthen us. It is hard to think about that at the time. Yet, our key to navigating the situation is to stay in prayer, rely on God, and not allowing our minds to exaggerate the situation.
I pray we all lean on God as we face tough situations. I pray we recognize Jesus by our side. I pray each one of us spends time in prayer to gain the strength and courage we need. Rely on God. Spend time in prayer. Know that Jesus never leaves you. Trust God.
Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Marty Pressey 