Dear Explorer,
Re-Read Matthew 26:31-35
And
Re-Read Mark 14:27-31
And
Re-Read Luke 22:31-34
And
Read John 13:36-38
Let's look at these final verses before Jesus and His disciples leave the Upper Room. I want you to see something else.
How successfully do you think Peter predicted his future performance?
Do you think Peter knew his weak spots and limitations?
How well do you think the other disciples predicted their performance?
Now let's look at Jesus predictions for that night.
When did Jesus say that trouble would begin (Matthew 26:31)?
And what did He say would happen to His disciples (Matthew 26:31)?
How specific was He in His predictions about what would specifically happen to Peter (Matthew 26:34)?
What did He say would be the ultimate outcome of Peter's troubles (Luke 22:32)?
Then Jesus predicted something else recorded by both Matthew and Mark what was it? (Matthew 26:32 and Mark 14:28)
He predicted that He would be alive again – resurrected. Let that soak in. Jesus says He is going to be arrested, die on a cross, then meet them in Galilee afterward. No problem. And if you've heard the Easter story since birth, you might just miss this. Please, please take a few minutes and imagine the room. Everyone is upset and preparing for Jesus' impending death and He says, “Oh, and don't forget to meet me in our regular meeting place (I assume His home) in Galilee afterward.”
Some of you know the story and already know that Peter and the other disciples were not accurate in their predictions of what would happen in the coming hours. And you already know that Jesus' predictions turn out to be absolutely correct, but for other readers – I want to resoundingly assure you – that every single one of Jesus' predictions were 100% accurate. You'll see it for yourself in the coming studies.
You see, God KNOWS what will happen even before it happens. We've talked before that He is Omniscient (knows everything) and Omnipresent (can be everywhere at once – including past, present and future). I don't believe He causes it to happen (pre-determination), but that He knows everything from the beginning to the end (foreknowledge). What that says to me is that I can trust Him to know what is best for me.
When I don't know how best to deal with a problem; when I don't know who to marry or which college to go to, when I don't know where to start; He already knows what is best. If I'll let Him guide me, He will guide me to the very best outcome.
When I say, “He knows what is best.” That's what I mean. He KNOWS what is best – He completely knows EVERYTHING – past, present and future.
In His service, dale
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