Matt. 16:1-4; Mark 10:32-34; Ps. 119:60-62, Journey Thoughts

Sometimes in my studies there are items that are worth posting, but they are not necessarily worth an entire post.  That is what we have today and for a few days.  I hope you are encouraged.

In Matthew’s Gospel I noticed some repeat situations.  Twice Jesus was charged with working the works of Satan (9:34 and 12:24).  This obviously became a prime argument by the religious leaders that might stick with the people.  Also obviously, it was a strange charge in light of all the positive signs Jesus performed.  Another indication of the resistance is that twice people requested a sign from Jesus, and twice the answer was the “sign of Jonah” (12:38-42; 16:1-4).  These show us the increasing hardness of heart on the part of the leadership.

Then we also noticed that twice Jesus’ disciples (the second time it was just Peter, although he may have reflected the view of all the Twelve) confessed Him to be “the Son of God” (14:33; 16:16).  Once was in the boat, after He walked to them on the water and then stilled the storm.  The second was Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question, “but who do you say that I am?”  This shows us the increasing growth of the disciples in coming to the realization of Jesus’ deity.  Both hardness of heart and coming to faith have a “journey” aspect.  Where are we on that path?

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From Mark 10:32, we see another “journey” idea.  Jesus led the way to Jerusalem and the disciples were amazed at this.  Jesus knew what was going to happen when they got there (v33-34).  And yet He seemed to be in a hurry to get there.  He led the way!  The disciples were afraid (cf. John 11:8-16).  But Jesus knew this was why He had come to earth (Mk. 10:45).

I was reminded of Abraham, in a similar situation in Gen. 22:1-2.  God told him to go to Jerusalem, well, to the “land of Moriah.”  And there He was to offer his son, Isaac, to the LORD.  The record tells us that Abraham rose up early in the morning and set out on the journey.  Abraham had his struggles of faith, but the story in Gen. 22 is the confirmation of his faith. 

Part of obedient faith is that there is no hesitation.  Hear the Psalmist.  First he says, “I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments” (60).  Then he realizes that the “cords of the wicked have bound me, but I have not forgotten Your law” (61).  Even the wicked will not be able to keep him from obedience.  And then, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, because of Your righteous judgments” (62).  Why at midnight?  Because that is when the thought has come to his mind, and he does not procrastinate or even hesitate.  God is worthy of thanks, so we ought not stay in bed another moment!

All this is important at the start of the journey.