S) "22 And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; 23 and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.' And they were deeply grieved."
Matthew 17:22-23 (NASB)
O) This was the first time when Jesus plainly told His disciples that He would die, but also be resurrected. Perhaps the real problem here, was that the disciples stopped listening. They heard the terrible news, that their teacher, the man with whom they had attached their lives, their savior was going to die. But, they didn't hear the fact that He would be raised again on the third day. The other gospels (see Mark 9 and Luke 9) mention that the men didn't understand what Jesus was telling them, still, but they were afraid to ask for clarification. The other gospels also say that their minds were darkened and they couldn't understand it at the time. Either way, the issue is that they didn't hear all of the information, and they didn't pursue getting all of the information, and that was the source of their grief.
A) How often do I see my problem, when God has already told me about it and His solution? Have I reacted like my children, who only hear about the work involved in preparing a party, without hearing about the celebration? "Clean your room so we can build a fort, for a sleepover," and I start crying about having to clean my room. Equally important, am I really putting myself in position to hear Him say this at all. Maybe my times of prayer should be more about asking questions, asking for clarification and understanding, more than I am asking for solutions. Maybe the solution is already set, and I just need to understand it.
P) God, I cannot forget the fact that You are such a good Father to me. You weren't trying to blindside Your disciples, and I don't think You are trying to blindside me. Open my eyes to see, then, and my ears to hear. Please reveal to me, the struggles that I face - according to how You see them. Reveal to me the solution You have planned, and what You would have me do about it. I don't want to grieve for nothing, LORD, especially because I miss what You're trying to tell me. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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