Throw Away Line??

Throw away lines.  That small sentence that kind of seems to get lost.  Most times we seem to just miss it.  I was reading in the book of Matthew today and saw one of these little gems that seemingly got missed by the disciples at the time, and probably by many of us.

After the last supper, Jesus and His disciples left the upper room to head for the Garden of Gethsemane.  Along the way Jesus began to reveal more of what was going to happen in the upcoming days.  Matthew 26:31-33  On the way, Jesus told them, "tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, 'God will strike the Shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'  but after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there."  Peter declared, "Even if everyone else deserts You, I will never desert You."

Peter blew right past the whole, "I'm gonna rise from the dead and will meet you later in Galilee" thing.  I'm thinking the disciples should have been saying:  Whaaaat!  "What did You say You were gonna do Jesus?? Rise and meet us later?  What are You talking about?   Dead is dead  How do you plan on beating that and be walking around anywhere a few days later??"   Instead, Peter, like most of us focus on what we are going to do or not do.  As humans we go right to ourselves, right to our own bravado and abilities.  We humans are so funny.

All this years I've been ready this passage and I focused on the same thing that Peter did.  The denials, the denial of the ability to deny....I found myself wondering if I would deny Him, or would I be brave.  I too went right on by the "rising from the dead" business Jesus spoke of.

God seems to be saying to us here, "Look more closely.  Pay attention to all my Words."  Another reminder to be on the look out for His involvement, His teaching, His touch on our lives.  Another confirmation for what this blog is all about....looking for His "visits" during our day.  In this case with Peter, it was the spoken words of Jesus that contained the amazing truth of what was about to happen, and the encouragement that would carry them through the dark days ahead.  Sometimes we find these visits in the pages of Scriptures, other times in a song, the words of a friend,  or a sermon, in nature, or in purposely orchestrated circumstances....a myriad ( I just like that word!) of ways God reaches out, sharing His concerns, His love, and His heart with us.

What a wonderful, mighty, amazing God we serve.  He is always involved, always teaching, always caring.  Thank You Lord for being Who You are!  We are so blessed.  Open our eyes and our hearts today!  I want to see You!

Pray for the ability to see God more today.