Matthew 20:18-19
English Standard Version (ESV)
18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
This morning as I was at the Gym working out with my trainer, I began to grow tired and wanted this workout to be over. But my ever diligent trainer would not let me stop, instead she gave me encouragement every so often as to keep me on track to the end.
As I watched her fingers occasionally push the button to raise the treadmill speed and incline height she would tell me how much time I had until the pace would slow down. Because she did this, I had a goal in mind as well as the strength to endure.
Often on our Lenten journeys we feel the same way in the fact that we tired and anxious as Easter morning seems far in the distance. This is where each of us must rely on our faith and one another as to encourage one another on our Lenten paths.
As we draw closer to the cross and Easter our encouragement is in the Resurrection of Christ at the end of our Lenten and Easter journey. Could you imagine if there was no Resurrection? Our journey's would be unbearable and futile if we were not given the encouragement of Christ and a glimpse into his future.
In Matthew 20: 18-19 we see Jesus as the fitness trainer of the disciples in the fact that he was giving them encouragement on their trip (workout) to Jerusalem. He was giving them a vision of what the end would look like, and how much time was left.
Just as Jesus encouraged the disciples, I pray for your strength on your Lenten journey and I encourage you in the fact that the Easter promise will be delivered and the end of the journey is in sight. We need not worry about a journey without Resurrection, because Jesus has promised to deliver on his commitment to us! Jesus has promised to fulfill the mission that his Father sent him on!
So stay on that treadmill, raise the incline, raise the speed and go in the encouragement that the destination is not far off, and you will be glad that you didn't give up. The Lenten season is busy with church events and services, embrace these times just as Jesus embraced the cross as to pay for my sins and your sins.
Pastor Tim
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