(Matt. 26:31-32, Matt.28:1-16)
We live in a world of transience. Ultimately everything will pass away. For believers in Jesus and God’s word, this world, this universe, this system is but a temporary construct, made by God to fulfil His purpose to create a Bride for His eternal Son.
One of the things this means is that we have to get used to change - accept change and disruption as part of how things are in a world gone wrong. We mostly like things to be settled, secure, steady and predictable - but they are not. There is but one thing we can all be sure of (apart from death and taxes!) – and that is that change is coming! And often when we least expect it or want it.
For Jesus’ disciples, everything seemed to be going along well; ministry was expanding and people receiving salvation and healing – and then He suddenly calls the twelve aside (see Lk.18:31-34) and says ‘we’re going up to Jerusalem and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He’ll be delivered to the Gentiles and be mocked and insulted and spat upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.’! The result is that His disciples cannot receive because it was outside their expectation and their frame of reference - and mostly because they did not want things to change. Things were good so, ‘if it ain’t broke, why fix it?’
Here are some things to know when change occurs:
What looks like change to us is not to Him: Then what is it? It’s simply the unfolding of His purpose! Notice what Jesus said to them, ‘We’re going up to Jerusalem so that all things written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be fulfilled’ (Lk.18:31). Had they listened more closely they would long ago have discerned that He had set His face for Jerusalem as the gospel writers tell us. In Lk.9:22 He told them that, ‘the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and be killed and on the third day be raised to life’. Now, how plain is that?
He knew where He was going; He knew His purpose and the Father’s plan; the disciples would not receive it. Why?
Our plans are often confused and not in line with His. It’s easy to be so occupied with our take on events – or our plan for how things should work out – that we entirely miss His. They were pre-occupied to the point of not hearing. It was inconceivable that He could be killed and all the good brought to an end. THEY HAD PLANS for the way things would work out: Peter, James and John had a plan on the Mount of Transfiguration. James and John had plans; ‘Teacher we desire that you do for us whatever we ask.’ ‘What do you want me to do?’ ‘Grant us that we may sit, one on your right hand and one on your left in your kingdom glory’. Peter had plans - they all had plans! But none of them were the Father’s plan. But what was really happening was that ‘everything was being fulfilled’ v.31; it was all working to the Father’s programme and plan.
Be careful with your plans (James 4:13-15). They so can easily run counter to His purpose. By all means plan, but then submit it to Him and say ‘your will be done’ and be willing to lay it down anytime in order to get where He is. Let me explain -
Change and transition is to bring us to where He is!
After first Easter, disciples found themselves in transition. Their world and security had been shaken. But God was thrusting transition and change upon them. WHY? Because God’s programme and agenda moves forward. God had called for change - something was ending, so that something new could emerge: they had been warned - but were still unprepared! Jesus had clearly said several things: * He would die; * He would rise - and * He would go before them into Galilee. It was a time of transition. Crisis became the catalyst for transition and change. There was a bridge to cross into something new. How do you know that God may have you in transition season? Here are three symptoms: A. I’m no longer in control of what’s happening! B. I don’t understand what’s happening! C. What’s happening makes me nervous! D. I’d rather not know what’s happening!
These were all responses within those closest to Jesus!
1. Transition means something better is ahead. There had been hundreds of Passovers since Exodus, but it had just met its completion. On 14th day of Hebrew month Nisan at 3 in afternoon, when all the Passover lambs in Jerusalem were being killed, the Lamb of God died. Passover was now complete - and in 50 days Pentecost would meet its completion. Disciples didn’t know that, but Jesus did. Disciples felt cheated, robbed, empty - even rejected or abandoned. But - He knew what was coming! They were between Passover and Pentecost. Remember: the Past is always Prologue. It’s merely the foundation for next thing God has for us. And transition necessarily means that something is over. What was over for disciples was limited and physical presence of Jesus; coming a new and better time - of unlimited, unconfined, presence of Jesus with each one and with all - by His Spirit. Was it not better?
2. Transition requires participation. In Matt. 26:32 Jesus said He would go before them into Galilee; in 28:7, the angel tells the women to tell disciples; in 28:10 the risen Jesus actually meets the women and again tells them to go and tell them! Can see that Jesus attached some importance to them getting to Galilee? How many see it’s important to get where He’s going - and that that’s where He wants to meet us!? The promise to disciples was that they would see Him where He had gone - (Galilee). So - they had to move! Had to pick up heavy feet in order to meet Him where He now was! And it was no walk in the park. From Jerusalem to Galilee is at least 100kms! Jesus had made a new appointment - and it wasn’t in Jerusalem! It was in Galilee. The angel said, ‘there you will see Him.’
3. Transition is the doorway to Commission. Disciples delayed at least one week - the last place He had been real and alive to them was hard to leave - but eventually they went to Galilee. They did it. Made the necessary arrangements and headed for Galilee. And - their expansive new commission ‘go into all the world’ was given there – and was predicated upon their willingness to move from Jerusalem to Galilee - on their willingness to make the transition. Up ‘til now their mandate had been restricted; He had said to them (Matt.10:6) ‘do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’
To receive this enlargement of vision and mandate they needed to be people who could leave disappointment behind; who could believe what He said; could move forward by faith, even when feeling numb and empty and beaten down - even destroyed. People who could meet Jesus where He now was - not search in vain for Him where He used to be!
Transition can be time of uncertainty, doubt and fear - it may be hard to recognise the Christ of the new season. But - count on it - when we leave disappointment and move in the direction He has pointed - that’s where we’ll find Him! Theirs was now to be a greater ministry under a greater anointing!
God wants a people who are defined more by a future He is calling us into than by a past we’re being called from. The journey of transformation is journey of change.
Ian Heard
29/3/15
