Out in front

October 25, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Jesus predicts death on road to Jerusalem; Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34

Mark 10:32 (Bible in Worldwide English)
32 Jesus and his disciples were on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking in front of them.  The disciples were surprised. And the people who came behind were afraid. He took the twelve disciples and began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

There is an interesting line in the account of Mark that is not in the account that Matthew and Luke tell.  It says that Jesus was walking in front of them and the others were afraid.  While the afraid part is interesting it is the fact that Jesus is in front that interest me the most.  

Normal teaching of that time would have Jesus more to the middle of the group, so that those in front and in back could hear him.  Also, any trouble makers that would meet on the road would have to get by those in front to get to the teacher.  But Jesus knew that the end was coming up and He was ready to face it. He was not going to let someone else lead the pace, He was going to face it head on.

In my life I tend to see problems coming and want to get to the middle of things and not want to face them directly.  I must learn to be more like Jesus and learn to move forward and face them.  If I do not walk to and through them, I will have to face them for a much longer time to come.

Read for next time: Request for James and John; Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41
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