Beyond the Easter Story

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. (In other words, no matter what you have believed or felt until now, here is the truth!) It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16:7

Jesus knew how much the disciples depended on Him. He loved them enough to physically leave the earth. Jesus’ Ascension was as important to God’s eternal purpose as was His Incarnation!

Understandably, the original disciples loved Jesus’ flesh. Dare we say they were addicted to it? The working of miracles, the answers He gave the Pharisees; Jesus always knew what to do and what to say in every situation. He was, well, just perfect! The perfect embodiment of truth!

Numerous times Jesus had alluded to His suffering and soon coming death, but the disciples were oblivious to the obvious. They were so interested in what Jesus could do for them that they missed what God was preparing to do through them.

Talk about a “paradigm shift!” Everything in them and perhaps in us is averse to change once we get settled and comfortable. We get “fixed” in our institutionalized thinking. Disciples then and now like to keep Jesus in our lives right where we want Him!

In their thinking it was to their advantage that Jesus stay put! His departure was not part of their plans. It is embarrassing to say, but Jesus was useful to them. During the original Easter season big changes were transpiring.

In a very direct conversation between Peter and Jesus, missions and motives were exposed. It is recorded in Matthew 16:21-26 NASB. 

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 be raised up on the third day. 

Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! Nothing like this must happen to You.” (PHILLIPS translation)

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

I submit that Peter and the others did not want “death-talk” to interrupt their plans for Jesus. What are God’s interests? We can be confident they are beyond our limited perspective. While celebrating the memory of His death, burial and resurrection this year, may we accept the truth that He has prepared us to be His body in the earth to fulfill God’s mission. Easter is beyond commemorating the historical events of days of yore!

Thank you for supporting DFM each month. His mission through us continues…