Maundy Thursday: Not to be surprised


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!"

Matthew 20:17-19  NIV


We are often surprised by the twists and turns of life and death. Jesus clearly explained to his disciples that he knew he would die and be resurrected. But how shocked, appalled, and at a loss they were when it happened.

Jesus reminds us today, as he said to his followers back then:

I have told you this,
so that you might have peace in your hearts
because of me.
While you are in the world,
you will have to suffer.
But cheer up! I have defeated the world. 
John 16:33 CEV

When trials and challenges come, it's easiest to react like his disciples did. We feel dismayed. That God has abandoned us. And we sometimes don't know where to turn.

Jesus encourages us to keep a peaceful heart. He has already overcome the world. His work of paying our debts and reconciling us to God is finished.

We can rest him him, no matter what life tosses our way.

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