October 22nd~Running Ahead of God

Matthew 20:1-16

Mark 10:32-34

Matthew 20:17-19

Luke 18:31-34

Mark 10:35-45

Matthew 20:20-34

Mark 10:46b-52

Luke 18:35-19:27

Jesus began the final stage of His ministry which would be in and around Jerusalem. He announced before going that, once they arrived, He would be betrayed, sentenced to die and, then, handed over to the Romans, who would mock Him, spit on Him, whip Him, and kill Him. Then, after three days, He would rise again. The predictions of the prophets would come true (Mark 10:31-34).

Even after spending three years with Him and hearing Him preach the Gospel message, the disciples and the rest of His followers still misunderstood the purpose of His coming. They believed that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to set up the earthly kingdom that had been foretold (Luke 18:34; 19:11). Two of them, James and John, even went so far as to ask Jesus if He would grant them places of honor, one at the Lord’s right hand and one at His left.

Jesus immediately tried to refocus their attention on what it meant to be great in God’s eyes. “Whoever wants to be a leader among you,” He said, “must be your servant; and, whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others and to give My life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45).

When Jesus visited Zacchaeus, and the tax collector repented of his sin, Jesus reminded everyone that He had come “to seek and save those like him who are lost” (Luke 19:10). When the crowd following Him “believed that the Kingdom of God would begin right away,” Jesus told them the story of the ten servants (v.11-27). It was His way of telling His followers that He would not be staying on earth; rather He would be going away for a while and, when He returned, He would judge all men.

Daily Reflection

If you think about it, we misunderstand God’s will and purposes all of the time. It is easy for us to run ahead of Him, thinking we know what He is doing or where He is going. Oftentimes, we believe that He is moving in one direction, when He is really headed in another.

Can you recall a time when you misunderstood what God was doing in your life, when you thought He was doing one thing when He was really doing another? Explain.

How can you keep from repeating this mistake in the future? What steps can you take to ensure that you are following Him and not “leading” Him?

Have your focus, your priorities, your agenda ever been misplaced? Have you ever tried to force your plans on God instead of being patient to see what His plans are for you?

Make sure not to run ahead of the Lord or tell Him what He needs to do in your life. Instead, pray and discern where He is leading. Rather than running ahead of Him, remain behind Him, following wherever He leads. Remember to pray, “Not my will but His be done.”

BiAY.org | Day 295 — 70 Days to Go