Post by Zac Loh on Apr 10, 2009 23:18:10 GMT -5
Divine Appointment
Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. (Matthew 28:16)
Everyone wants to be in the right place at the right time – set by God. To know that God has a real plan for our lives, it’s awesome. This is the reality of God. And it thrills my heart.
Mountain symbolizes prayer. Without prayer, we will miss God’s appointment.
Mountain involves upward climb. Divine appointment might not be easy, but it’s worth it.
In a mountain hiking expedition, your leg muscles might ache, your heart might be thumping as though it’s going come out of your chest. You could hardly breathe.
For some of you, there will be fainting spells …close to black-out.
Later on, you might feel sharp pains at your knee joints …ankle muscles throbbing mercilessly
The long and winding path upwards looks arduous, and you feel like going home.
You wish you were lying back home, on your bed.
But when you reach a certain height, and you take-in the fresh air, the cool breeze, and you look at the horizon, and see the scenery, you know it’s worth it!
I am looking daily for divine appointments.
When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:17-18)
Some doubted. I am curious, having gone to such length, only to arrive at the place of doubt. I mean …this is the resurrected Lord we are talking about …their Lord resurrected from death!
Many a time, Jesus would have rebuked them for the unbelief. It doesn’t appear that Jesus did that here (what the Bible didn’t mention doesn’t mean it didn’t happen).
Some worshipped. Some doubted. Scanning closely, I noticed `And Jesus came’. So my guess …Jesus was a bit far off when it happened.
Some heard the earlier transmitted message, and believed. Some had to see before believing. Jesus came near, and the doubters recognized Him then, I suppose.
What intrigue me is that Jesus, not only didn’t rebuke, He was about to give them His own authority and commission them (including the doubters!).
A few days ago, my wife told me that what she loves most about God is mercy. And it is God’s mercy that He still has plans for us doubters. He believes in us.
The challenge now, is to believe in Him just as much as He believes in us.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)
This is prophetic that I’ve arrived right at these few verses of scripture in my systematic devotional reading. It is no co-incidence that I am going to another nation to preach/teach next week. It will be my first mission trip outside the country …to Philippines.
Many years ago, my wife was given a prophecy while she was still in the U.S. The prophecy stated that when she returns to Malaysia, she would marry a preacher, and travels round the world with him. My trip is part of my fulfilling the prophecy given to her. Not only that, I am being part of the great commission to make disciples throughout the world.
Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. (Matthew 28:16)
Everyone wants to be in the right place at the right time – set by God. To know that God has a real plan for our lives, it’s awesome. This is the reality of God. And it thrills my heart.
Mountain symbolizes prayer. Without prayer, we will miss God’s appointment.
Mountain involves upward climb. Divine appointment might not be easy, but it’s worth it.
In a mountain hiking expedition, your leg muscles might ache, your heart might be thumping as though it’s going come out of your chest. You could hardly breathe.
For some of you, there will be fainting spells …close to black-out.
Later on, you might feel sharp pains at your knee joints …ankle muscles throbbing mercilessly
The long and winding path upwards looks arduous, and you feel like going home.
You wish you were lying back home, on your bed.
But when you reach a certain height, and you take-in the fresh air, the cool breeze, and you look at the horizon, and see the scenery, you know it’s worth it!
I am looking daily for divine appointments.
When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:17-18)
Some doubted. I am curious, having gone to such length, only to arrive at the place of doubt. I mean …this is the resurrected Lord we are talking about …their Lord resurrected from death!
Many a time, Jesus would have rebuked them for the unbelief. It doesn’t appear that Jesus did that here (what the Bible didn’t mention doesn’t mean it didn’t happen).
Some worshipped. Some doubted. Scanning closely, I noticed `And Jesus came’. So my guess …Jesus was a bit far off when it happened.
Some heard the earlier transmitted message, and believed. Some had to see before believing. Jesus came near, and the doubters recognized Him then, I suppose.
What intrigue me is that Jesus, not only didn’t rebuke, He was about to give them His own authority and commission them (including the doubters!).
A few days ago, my wife told me that what she loves most about God is mercy. And it is God’s mercy that He still has plans for us doubters. He believes in us.
The challenge now, is to believe in Him just as much as He believes in us.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)
This is prophetic that I’ve arrived right at these few verses of scripture in my systematic devotional reading. It is no co-incidence that I am going to another nation to preach/teach next week. It will be my first mission trip outside the country …to Philippines.
Many years ago, my wife was given a prophecy while she was still in the U.S. The prophecy stated that when she returns to Malaysia, she would marry a preacher, and travels round the world with him. My trip is part of my fulfilling the prophecy given to her. Not only that, I am being part of the great commission to make disciples throughout the world.