Notes to the Lord;Expectation and the Cross

Scripture Reflections:Matthew 17

9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Lord Jesus--There is something about expectations and about the way in which you work that catches me by surprise. It is the same thing that left the disciples surprised and frighten at times. High points are many times the places where right turns are just ahead, that lead to places I would never expect to end up.

The disciples did not want to hear the teachings of the cross, and this reference to telling people about this incident of your glory after your being raised from the dead must have jarred their sense of the future.

10The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" 11Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."13Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Lord Jesus--In the middle of their expectations they were face to face with the future which you knew and saw racing full speed toward them. They had expectations about the future that would be brought face to face with the cross...unblinkingly they would have to come the end of their own expectations and dreams of the future.

Up close and personal
What do you see of the future for me and this group that you have gathered at Living Springs? I am sure that my expectations will be continued to be jarred and wrenched free from where they are currently. There is still the call to follow even when expectations and reality are not the same. There is still that still clear voice that calls me to discipleship and obedience. Your voice leads me by the way of your cross. Through it to see your glory and experience your life lived out through my wandering steps. Jesus lead on in this day that will dawn in just a few hours. Help me to allow you to mold and temper my expectations with your unending and patient grace.