May 4 Jesus Leads

Jesus Leads Mark 10:32-34 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” DO YOU see the picture? Jesus is walking to Jerusalem. The disciples are right behind him. Then other followers are next. The disciples are amazed. The others are afraid. Why? They know the danger Jesus is walking into as he approaches Jerusalem. They know his accusers want to be rid of him. They are afraid Jesus’ enemies will harm him and possibly persecute them. Their religious and government rulers are very oppressive. But Jesus isn’t oppressed. He is the amazing Lord, the Everlasting God who has the power and the strength to face and defeat all opposition. He carefully tells his disciples what will happen. Then he keeps going to Jerusalem, fearless of death, focused on life. Are you afraid? Take heart and step into your Savior’s footsteps. His victory for you is sure. He leads the way to the truth. Follow him. Arrive at the truth. Live in the truth, and your fears will no longer oppress you. The disciples and Jesus’ other followers would see him killed. They would see him rise. Their fear would leave them forever. See your crucified, risen Savior. Your fears will be gone, too. Pause and consider: Jesus’ truth destroys your fears.