Go Ahead
Jesus and His closest friends had just finished their Passover meal together. He challenged the disciples with some cryptic predictions about betrayal and remembrance. Then they left for a walk to the Mount of Olives. On the way there, Jesus told His friends that each of them would betray Him (Matthew 26:31). This was a shocking prediction to those who had stood with Him day and night throughout the past three years. But then, without skipping a beat, Jesus continued, “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee (v 32).”
This last part should have produced some questions: What do you mean by “risen”? Why don’t we just go with you to Galilee? But instead, they seemed to be distracted by the accusation that they would scatter. I imagine that the disciples started looking at each other, puzzled. Peter spoke up first, insisting that he would never leave his teacher. The others followed suit (v. 33-35). They may have been confused or hurt by the charge, but in the exchange, they completely missed the promise of resurrection and reunion in verse 32.
Even as it was spoken, this hopeful promise from Jesus was ignored and forgotten.
The disciples did indeed scatter after Jesus’ arrest. Peter specifically denied Him three separate times just hours after saying he would never do such a thing (Matthew 26:69-75). Jesus is tried, crucified, and buried. And in less than 24 hours, the disciples felt like they had no hope.
Jesus knew all this would occur. He knew Peter would deny Him, and His friends would hide. Jesus knew His fate on the cross. But before all that even happened, He knew He would meet them again in Galilee.
God's Promises
Like the disciples, we all sin against God and others. God knows this, but our sin doesn’t change His promises. Jesus didn’t change His mind about going to Galilee. He didn’t change His mind about what men and women He would use to continue spreading the Good News. And He certainly doesn’t change His mind about the hope He offers each of us.
That is why we can have hope today. God’s hope is not the kind of hope people refer to when they make a wish on their birthday candles or see a shooting star. It’s not the hope of someone who wants to land an important job or get a great gift for Christmas. This hope is a promise assured by God. We don’t wish for it; we trust in it. We know that the hope we have in Christ is unquestionable.
He promises to go ahead of us.
He promises to guide us through decisions: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5).”
He promises to fight for us: “The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you (Deuteronomy 1:30).”
He promises to make us a place in heaven: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you (John 14:2)?”
And His ultimate promise of hope? “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”
God knows that we will not understand all He does, and we won’t always hear His commands the first time. He will keep pursuing us, but He will not remove the hope. He will continue to go ahead of us: for guidance, protection, preparation, and salvation.
He wants us to trust and follow.
Hearing the Hope
As the followers of Jesus were left confused over the previous few days, some women among them decided to visit the tomb after the Sabbath (Matthew 28:1). As they approached, an angel greeted and told the women not to be afraid. The angel’s words in verse 7 reflected Jesus’ hopeful but overlooked promise from the Mount of Olives, “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” The women then ran off to tell the good news to the other disciples. Along the way, Jesus appeared to them and repeated the same promise, so no one would miss it this time, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me (v. 10).”
This time, the disciples were listening. They heard the hope and traveled to meet Jesus.
The disciples didn’t know what to expect when they arrived in Galilee. But they trusted that Jesus would be there ahead of them. We, too, can trust Jesus to go ahead of us even when we don’t know what to expect.
Once they arrived in Galilee, ready to listen, do you know what Jesus commanded them to do?
He told them to spread the hope (Matthew 28:18:20).
So as you celebrate Easter this weekend, remember that Jesus has gone ahead of you. Celebrate His resurrection. And spread the hope we have in Him.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade (1 Peter 1:3-4).”
Jenny
Child of God, wife, parent, grandparent, teacher, and messenger. My life is messy, non-traditional, and imperfect, but I strive to be right where Jesus wants me. I love reading, traveling, and all things green!
