Friday 9 May 2008

The Journey to Jerusalem

Reading: Mark 10:32-34

32 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.”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Mk 10:32-34). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Jesus is leading the way into a serious spiritual, emotional & physical battle; one which He knows is going to take a huge personal toll. There's a lot of anticipation and anxiety in the group, and Jesus seeks to prepare his core group by reminding them of what lies ahead.

Reflections:
How is Jesus leading me into "battle"?
Steady development of life experience & biblical wisdom to develop a realistic idea of what lies ahead and how I must prepare in order to do what I am called to do.
How am I leading others / how do I need to lead others?
  • spending more time with people - pastoring
  • seeking to apply basic biblical principles to life situations - being clear and direct about what the Bible actually says even if it feels confronting to do so.
  • be realistic about the cost of discipleship, but also the hope of victory and new life