Go: A 40-Day Journey To The Never ReachedSample

Our Struggle; His Strength

By: Alan Johnson

After the Lord’s Supper, Jesus predicted his death. Then he said:

“But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee” (Matthew 26:32, Mark 14:28). 

Jesus prepared his disciples for his death and promised them a future. After his resurrection, Jesus told the women that he would go ahead of the disciples into Galilee. His reiteration of this promise is significant because it followed their denials and abandonment at his arrest. Jesus going before them brought the disciples hope. 

It’s easy to forget how traumatic this time was for the disciples. They had been with Jesus for three years. They hadn’t comprehended Christ’s predictions of his death and resurrection. Their overconfidence, their flight at his arrest, Peter’s denial, Christ’s crucifixion, left them devastated. 

Matthew observed that, as Jesus met them in Galilee, they worshipped him, but some doubted. Yet worship and doubt are incompatible. 

Donald Hagner, in his commentary on Matthew in the Word Biblical Commentary series, points to the meaning of the word distaxein. The word does not mean doubt, but rather to be hesitant, indecisive, and uncertain. 

Hagner noted that the crucifixion left the disciples uncertain even after Jesus appeared to them. It was not his resurrection they doubted, but their status with him. That’s why Jesus’ promise to always be with them was so critical. 

Jesus goes before his people, he guides, directs, and provides. Leading up to the crucifixion the disciples failed and abandoned Christ. But Jesus went before them, regathered them, forgave and healed them, and made them his emissaries to the world. 

Remarkably, Jesus is pleased to use people like us to accomplish his mission. Failure, confusion, and spiritual blindness do not disqualify us from his service if we let Jesus go before us and forgive, restore, and recommission us. 

Go Before!

Confusion and doubt often come just before a fresh revelation of the risen Lord. Be honest with the Lord. Tell him what you don’t understand and your own weaknesses and failures as you’ve tried to follow him. Trust him—and thank him—for going before you, even when you can’t see or feel him near you.

Pray

Never reached People Group: Ethnic Thai Buddhists

Pray for miracles, signs, and wonders among the ethnic Thai Buddhists that will point them to our powerful God who loves them.