When God Whispers, "Change is Coming."

We are about half way through the season of Lent, and we are approaching Good Friday and Easter Sunday, where we remember both the death and resurrection of Jesus.

To be honest, it's pretty easy for us to approach Good Friday and the Crucifixion, because we know Sunday and Resurrection is just around the corner.  But imagine what is was like for those who were actually walking with Jesus when this was all going on. Even though Jesus predicted he would die and rise again, his disciples had a very hard time accepting the former and believing the latter.

In fact, four times in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus predicts his death. Each time there is a growing maturity and acceptance by his disciples, and each time Jesus graciously gives them the information they need at that time, without overwhelming them.

First prediction:

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him...

~ Matthew 16:21-22

The first time, Peter actually had the audacity to take Jesus aside and rebuke him. Culturally speaking, this is unheard of. In the traditional Jewish master-disciple relationship, the disciple would never correct his master, let alone rebuke him. But Peter does, and Jesus firmly stops him. He tells Peter that Peter’s attempt to rebuke him is actually an attempt by Satan to hinder Jesus’ ministry.

Second prediction:

After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

~ Matthew 17:22-23

The second time, Jesus predicts his death and resurrection, but adds a new detail: he will be betrayed. There is no attempt at correction or rebuke by the disciples, nor is there an attempt to change his mind. Matthew simply records that the disciples were greatly distressed upon hearing the prediction. So there is a level of acceptance, but they still don’t understand the purpose, therefore they are distressed about what this prediction means for their dreams of a free Israel.

Third prediction:

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

~ Matthew 20:17-19

The third time, Jesus yet again reveals new information - he gives further clues about his betrayal and who will carry out his arrest and crucifixion. Jesus is slowly giving his disciples the information they need in order to come to full acceptance and be prepared for what is in store.

Fourth and final prediction:

“As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

~ Matthew 26:2

This final time Jesus predicts his death, he tells his disciples when - in two days at the Passover. It is set.

Neither of the last two times is there any record of the disciples reaction, but they likely have come to a level of realization and acceptance that this will happen, and it’s part of God’s plan. They don’t understand how it fits into God’s plan (as demonstrated by their later vow in 26:35 to die with Jesus), but they know it’s coming.

In all four instances, Jesus is gracious but firm: change is coming, and here's what you need to know at this moment to process and prepare.

Change is an inevitable part of life. Sometimes, when the hint of change approaches us, it can be shocking - much like the shock the disciples must have registered upon hearing for the first time that Jesus was going to die. Like them, our first reaction may be to fight the change.

However, God is gracious, and often brings about change to our life direction (or our attitudes, or our character traits, or our circumstances...) gently. He's firm that change is coming, but gives us opportunity to grow and become ready to accept it. I say "often" rather than "always," because sometimes change comes quickly and suddenly, whether we're ready or not, but even in these instances his grace remains to help us process and adapt to the change.

PAUSE and REFLECT:

Are there whispers of change in your life today? Have you noticed a steady movement toward something new or something different? Signs of God at work, preparing us for change, can be a sense of dissatisfaction with where our life is now, a growing desire for something new, circumstances that seem to guide us to a certain path (e.g. closing doors, opening doors), or a growing awareness of a character flaw or unhealthy attitude that God wants to heal.

It could be a number of different things, but they all seem to make us a bit less comfortable with our present circumstances. We can fight it - and often we do - but God graciously works to bring us to a place of acceptance.

As you reflect on your life, heart, thoughts, and prayers, where might God be guiding you toward something new? Do you need him to repeat it, or confirm it, or are you ready to follow the unfolding path before you?