If you hold to a Wednesday crucifixion as I do, last night would’ve been the night of the last supper in the upper room and all the events of that evening. Just imagine all that took place from the triumphant entrance just a few days prior to the denial and betrayal of Jesus. It’s easy to point fingers at the disciples but we have an advantage that they didn’t. Afterall, hindsight, they say is 20:20.
Even though Jesus had told them time and time again about His crucifixion, they must have been blinded by the Jesus’ growing popularity. Even Peter rebuked Jesus by saying that He should not talk about such things, Matthew 16:21-23 (ESV)
“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
The next 72 hours would absolutely rock the disciples’ world. Hope and joy turned into sadness and despair. What would happen was all part of God’s plan. It had been since before the foundations of the world.
I personally believe that we are in a time of transition once again. Where the Lord is taking us, we’ve never been before. The church will pour out His Spirit on all those who have said no to self and yes to Him. One of our leaders, Karen Austin received the following from the Lord during our worship last Sunday. I wanted to include it for your encouragement.
From Karen…
“Oh, Cornerstone. Oh, Cornerstone. How I long for you to draw near. How I long to hear your worship and exultation of Me. For there is much I desire to do in your midst and through you. But know it will take a laying down of the old and a not looking back.”
“Know I am putting the pieces together that look to you as just a puzzle….as a “how will this ever be put back together?” But know, it will not be a putting back together as it was for it is a new scene, a new pattern. You, Cornerstone, do not realize how much you are a prophetic picture of this nation. Just as this nation will not go back to what was, neither will you Cornerstone.”
“This will take a step of faith to enter the unknown, to enter the “not done before”. As you keep your eyes upon Me as your leader, your Commander-in-Chief, I will lead you step by step. It will take a putting together and walking in all the spiritual lessons I have taught you throughout the years.”
“As you willing to let go? This will take, as it did the Israelites, not just a “yes, Lord” with the mouth, but it must be a continual heart spoken, “yes, Lord”. Refrain from permitting your tongue the luxury of speaking of the longing for the past.”
“You are at a crossroad and just like My people of old, I am leading you out from what has been into what I have had for you from the beginning. Even though you thought it would be one way, I had plans for another. Yes, your vision is true, but how I will take you there shall be by a path not seen by man. It is a path of My Spirit and by My Spirit.”
“Man and woman of God, I have chosen you to lead the charge into my Kingdom purpose for these end-time sons and daughters. You are well equipped. I have trained you well. Take time to look over the lessons I have taught you on this journey. Remember My faithfulness and not the mistakes, the stumbling. You have not chosen Me. I have chosen you. Rest assured in your call, for I have you in the palm of My hand. I have determined your destiny. Walk with Me. Sometimes we shall run. Other times we shall stroll. And yet other times we shall stand still, basking in our communion with one another.”
As the disciples learned to say “yes” and birthed the “kingdom of God’ through the church to the world, so we also say “yes” to the Holy Spirit and will fulfill all He had called us too!