Day 166 "No matter what we run from, we can never outrun it."

Day 166 Matthew 20:17-19 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” So, here we are, just the thirteen of us walking down the road, and you suddenly blurt out something like, "Oh, by the way, when we get to the town we’re heading to, I'll be mocked, beaten, and hung on a cross, but don't worry, three days later I'll come back from the dead. No biggie; just thought you might like to know." Whoa, wait just a cotton pickin’ minute, what did you just say? Yes, that would be an appropriate response; however, here we see no response at all–not one mention of a response to Jesus’ words. Why? We know that this is not the first time Jesus has mentioned it; however, it is the first time He mentions His scourging and resurrection. Isn't that enough to get someone to ask a question or respond in some other manner? Again, I ask, why not? Obviously, either they didn't believe Him, didn't want to hear it, or He didn't allow them to hear Him, which makes little sense. If He said it, then it was obviously intended to be heard. Could it be that Jesus was waiting to see if and how His disciples would respond? Could it be that He was fishing, or could it have been that since they didn't like the subject, they avoided talking about it? I believe the latter is the case; that it was easier to stick their head in the sand and deal with things as they came rather than talking about it and coming up with a plan. How would things have been different had they communicated more openly about what the future held for each of them? Maybe they would not have been scattered. Could it be if Peter had been more confident, he would not have denied Christ? Could it have prevented Judas from betraying Christ; therefore, allowing a different nonbeliever to do so? The truth is we don't know, and this is all speculation. However, that in itself is the issue. Why didn't they talk about it? What would it have hurt? Jesus obviously wanted to; after all, He brought it up. Sometimes the Lord brings up things that are tough in order for us to communicate with Him about them, and when we don't, we end up with whatever is left or the result of happenstance. Wouldn't it be better for all of us if we just had the courage to stand strong, be bold, and ask the questions of the Lord regarding tough issues in our lives? Sometimes we might be avoiding a wreck; you'll never know, will you, unless you ask? Daily Prayer: Father, give us the strength, I pray, to talk about the scary things you put on our minds. Help us not to run away from them but rather run to You with them and be blessed in the process. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "No matter what we run from, we can never outrun it." Pastor Gene Burroughs