Easter In The Kingdom By Edmound TeoUzorak

Let Him Lead

Jesus begins to reveal what the King will need to do in order for the Kingdom to come. This word, “must suffer” startled the disciples. It gets worse in Luke’s gospel (Luke 9:22) - “suffer” and even the word “kill” occurs for the first time. The disciples couldn’t be more disturbed, distressed, disillusioned, distraught, and disappointed that Jesus was the crucified King and not the conquering King, so much so that they failed to hear Jesus’ declaration that He was the Risen Savior. 

None was as upset as Peter with Jesus’ negativity. Weren’t the disciples supposed to storm Jerusalem, sit on thrones, and share in the Kingdom? Suffering and death do not fit into Peter’s idea of a King and he rebuked Jesus. 

Jesus’ response is interesting. We are less interested in the fact that Jesus calls Peter “satan, which means stumbling block” and more interested in the fact that Jesus tells Peter to get behind Him. If you are going to follow Jesus, you have to let him lead– which means He is in front and you are behind.

Prayer: Dear Father, we say “It should have been me,” but we also say, “Thank God it was Jesus.” Because only through Jesus’ death, can we atone for our sins. I place you in front to lead me and proclaim loudly “Worthy is the lamb who was slain!” In Jesus, mighty name, Amen.