Amazed and Afraid

Passover week.

It is Passover week.The disciples travel with Jesus to Jerusalem. I don’t know who is in the group. The group (or groups) are referenced as “the disciples”, “they”, and “the twelve”.  In Matthew’s gospel, we see that Jesus took the “twelve disciples” away and talked to them. I like to think it was just the twelve, but that’s my supposition.

Jesus wants to prepare them for coming events. Yet, how can these followers prepare? We can look back at that week and the cross, and know the Resurrection is fact. They can only look forward toward something they are told – yet do not understand. 

Amazed and afraid

In the same verse in Mark’s gospel, we hear they were amazed and afraid.

The disciples were amazed – again – at Jesus. They were amazed because of the things He did, the things He said, and the way He handled people. Jesus, their leader, was different from the religious leaders they knew.

The disciples were also afraid. We would be, too. Jesus told them He was going to die – and rise again. He forewarned them. They couldn’t understand; it was something they’d never considered as they followed Him.

Oftentimes, life brings us storms. We are amazed and afraid. We are amazed at what God can do – and what He does. Sometimes, we are also afraid. We don’t know the future; we don’t understand what is happening. Nor can we know the outcome before it occurs. We want to know so we can prepare.

The Resurrection

Today is Friday. It is Good Friday. This is the day we remember Jesus’ death. Yes, it’s Friday, but Sunday is just around the corner. Today, we are afraid. Come Sunday, fear is gone and we are amazed. 

In the good Fridays of your life, remember: Resurrection Sunday is just ahead. It’s coming, guaranteed. Jesus always makes a way. He provides grace. It’s called Resurrection Power.

Do not let the Fridays lead your thoughts. Instead, focus on Sunday, the day we celebrate Resurrection. Do not let fear rule you. Instead, allow your heart to feel the amazement of our Savior. Remember the cross, but focus on the resurrection. Therein is lies our hope, our power, and our joy.

A note from Gertrude: these verses were the focus of a message by my nephew Fred Orendorf at our Communion service.