Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: SPRING (09/03/20)
-
TITLE: Having A Spring In Your Step | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
09/09/20 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Body language reveals much about what is going on in the subconscious and conscious minds of individuals.
It’s one thing to have a spring in your step when everything is going your way, but it is a horse of a different color that is in view when was the enthusiasm can be maintained in times of actual or impending adversity.
As Jesus led His disciples to Jerusalem, He did so with enthusiasm and determination with a driving force behind Him (Luke 9: 51).
He did so with full knowledge that although there would be a short-lived triumphant reception (Luke 19: 35 - 38), betrayal (Matt. 26: 48-50), desertion (Matt. 26: 56), and denial (Matt. 26: 72) by friends; false conviction (Mark 14: 64) by religious authority; and a brutal (Isaiah 52: 14/Psalms 22: 1, 2, 14 – 17) execution at the hands of secular *authority (*John 19: 11) was awaiting Him there.
As if that knowledge weren't enough to crush His enthusiasm and take the wind out of His sails, He was well aware that He would be forsaken by God while on the cross.
I believe that it was not the cross, but being forsaken by God while on the cross, that was the subject matter of His intense (Luke 22: 44) prayer in the garden of Gethsemane.
He knew all along that His atoning work on the cross was what the plan of God required of Him. He was not getting cold feet in the Garden.
We all (should) have felt the convicting weight that sin can place on our soul structure for “a” sin that we have committed. Now consider feeling the weight of the sin debt of the entire world (1 John 2: 2) that was placed on Him while on the cross.
This He was fully prepared to undergo. It was His being forsaken in the process that so-troubled Him that it triggered what physicians refer to as hematidrosis (sweating blood) during this event (Luke 22: 44).
Habakkuk 1: 13 teaches that God the Father cannot look upon sin. I believe this caused Him to look way (forsaking His Son) during the hours that Jesus bore the sins of the world, while making atonement.
When He recited Psalms 22: 1 on the cross, He was NOT “asking” God the Father why He was being forsaken. He was fully aware of why.
He was bringing to the attention of those present that He was fulfilling several detailed prophecies concerning His crucifixion that were recorded in Psalms 22 centuries before! Among them, that He would be forsaken.
Jesus shared His impending suffering and death with His disciples along the way (Matt. 16: 21) to Jerusalem. But it was not until after His resurrection before many would comprehend exactly what was “finished (John 19: 30)” on the cross.
Peter received one of the strongest and unexpected rebukes that a disciple could receive (Matt. 16: 23) when he (Peter) spoke against Jesus' going to Jerusalem.
“But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; (Matt. 16: 23a,b NASB).”
But following this same rebuke, the verse goes on to teach one of the basic requirements necessary to maintain a spring in your step in the face of actual or impending adversity.
“…for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's (Matt.16:23c NASB).”
Disciples are not here for God to fulfill their plans. They are here to fulfill God's.
Jesus’ acknowledged this same principle when He completed His intense prayer with God the Father in the garden when He said, “Yet not My will, but Yours be done (Luke 22: 42 NASB).”
Advancing disciples of the Church Age learn what the master plan (Matt. 28: 19, 20) is, and what his/her individual part (1Cor. 12: 7-11, 18) in it is to be.
Maintaining the spring in one's walk with the Lord is accomplished by keeping in mind that the battle is the Lord’s (2Chron. 20: 15), and that the power (John 15: 5) to be victorious comes from Him.
Learning and applying the truth is what builds (John 8: 31 -32) confidence to walk with a spring in our step during times of blessing and in times of adversity.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
