42-MosesElijah-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Moses and Elijah
EYE OF THE STORM

Summer AD 29
Mt. Hermon, Syria [1]

�� The death threats.� Jesus has survived more than a year of them.� They succeeded with John the Baptizer.� They're after him now.� They will stop at nothing.�

�� The assassination attempts.� It happened the spring of last year in Jerusalem, the following month in Galilee on the way home, and just this spring in Jerusalem again.� It is no longer safe in Judea or Galilee either.

�� How long can he keep dodging them?� Jesus knows eventually they will succeed.� But not yet.� Not yet. [2]

�� Jesus' depression deepens.� Sometimes lately, after using him to be healed, they desert him because he does not do more. [3]

�� The very ones who tried to force him to be king deserted him because he dare claim he came down from heaven like Moses' manna.� People don't like that.� It's pure arrogance.� He was born like everyone else.� Such audacity.� Sometimes he goes too far. [4]

�� "Will you desert me too?" he sometimes asks his twelve friends on earth.� They do not.� But he knows soon one of them will become his betrayer.� And after that, the remaining eleven will desert him.� Like all the rest.� Like all the rest....

�� The depression.� It is back. [5]

�� As bravely as possible, he tells his twelve aides outright that he is going to be executed in Jerusalem.� Peter and the others try to talk him out of it.� They say they will protect him. [6]

�� But that is all wrong.� Jesus must die.� Hear that?� He must!� It is all part of the plan.� It has been planned for centuries.� He must not back out.� Without the substitute sacrifice, the placating sacrifice, where will rebellious mankind be?� How he loves those who do not love him back. [7]

�� Jesus has been in hiding most of the past year.� Preaching outside of Pilate's and Herod's territory.� Preaching outside of the country completely.� Healing sometimes, but urging them not to tell it.� They do anyway.� He understands, but it makes hiding a lot harder and moving around more necessary.

�� Soon now, though, Jesus must start working his way back home.� Not much refuge down there.� But it will be his last trip.� He will never see those familiar streets again.� He is getting anxious for that last visit.� Then he must do it.� Go to Jerusalem.� And his death.

�� Back on the road.� Farther and farther up into Syria.� Higher and higher up the Anti-Lebanon mountain range.�� In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus drops off all but Peter, James, and John.� They are the most brash and daring of them all. He needs that right now. He promises to be back in a day or two.� His voice is strangely melancholy.� They think they know why, after their last talk.� They are not sure.

�� Jesus heads back out of town and higher up the mountain.� Higher into the cold and wind and bareness.� His head is swirling.� As he works his way through the trees at the base, past the brush along a winding course he finally is among jutting rocks.� Sometimes stumbling, sometimes skinning his ankle, tears coming to his eyes.� No, not the tears!� Not them!

�� Jesus cannot see.� He stumbles off the trail and stares.� The three friends look around, wondering what he is looking at.� Nothing around here.� Just cold barrenness.

�� Jesus slumps down, his shoulders now on a large boulder, his head bowed, trying to regain control.� But it does not come.� His friends sit silently near him and wait.� There is something wrong.� They have known that since they left the city.� But it is worse than they have seen before.

�� He stands and hits the boulder and looks desperately up into the clouds for some sort of strength.� Strength that does not come.� He walks up behind the boulder.� He stares.� At the sun turning red in the horizon.� At the light beginning to subtly die.� At the day beginning to disappear from sight, never again to return.� How easily it slides to its own demise.

�� "Come on, we've got to go with him," Peter tells the other two.

�� "He's got to pray," James adds.� They know the signs.� They have seen them before.�

�� "Good thing we brought our bed rolls.� It's going to be a long night." [8]

�� Jesus always prays alone at night when he gets like this.� Sometimes he prays all night.� What in the world can he think of to say?

�� But, even in prayer, he does not like to be completely alone.� He needs to know his friends are nearby.� His closest friends.� The closest buddies he has on earth are these three.� Boisterous but courageous.� Sometimes he really needs the encouragement of these friends.� There are times when he needs a dose of their audacity.�

�� Their assessment of the situation is correct.� Without a word, Jesus climbs higher among the rocks.� All four climb.� Climb together for courage.�

�� One can see things better from a mountain top.� Oh yes.� Climb, Lord Jesus.� Trample over your anger, your frustration, your fear.� Anger at Satan.� Frustration over hypocrites.� Fear of death.� Ascend higher than your fickle emotions.� Seek the pinnacle.�

�� By the time they reach the top, it is dusk and difficult to see.� The shadows play tricks.� You cannot see your path.� It looks like sinkable water.� You cannot see where you have been.� It looks like a black hole.� You cannot see your destination.� It looks like bodiless things floating just beyond reach.� Do not trust the shadows.

�� The shadows?� Yes.� Like the shadows of death.�

�� Jesus turns now and looks at his friends.� They understand.� They stop and each finds a spot large enough and not exposed to too many rocks and protected from the cold winds of the Mediterranean where they can spread out their bed rolls.� They sit, and say silent prayers for their leader.� Their fearless leader in public.� But still with fears, just like anyone else.� His humanness makes it so.� Fears he only allows out in private.

�� He walks a little way and looks up into the sky, just beginning to be sprinkled with stars.� In the clearness of the cold evening, they can hear his droning.� But sometimes a shout too.� Jesus' voice is not very much in control right now.� Jesus prays out of melancholy desperation.� God leans low and sheds a tear wit his son.

�� The three friends try to pray for him from where they are.

�� "Dear God, help Jesus.� He insists that he is going to die when he gets to Jerusalem.� We don't want him to go through this.� God, tell him he doesn't have to.� God, do what is necessary to cheer him up."

�� "And torture him, God.� He said he'd be tortured before he died.� How can they do that to him?� God, don't let it happen.� He has never said anything but the truth."

�� "Oh God, change the hearts of the Sanhedrin.� They don't need to be jealous of Jesus.� He's just trying to get them to love you as much as they tell people they do.� Oh, God.� You can stop them if you want to."

�� They pray and pray.� But they're running out of ideas what to say without repeating themselves.� "Oh, God.� Help Jesus.� Oh, God.� Help Jesus...."

�� Gradually, their petitions grow slower and farther apart.� Gradually, as the night wears on, they...fall....asleep.....

�� All is dark.� All is quiet except for Jesus' wretched voice.� Calling out with tears.� Yes, always those tears.� He does not want to go through with it.�

�� Why does this have to be part of it?� Why will everyone have to taunt him in public?� Couldn't they just make this a private execution?� Why the torture?� He could die just as well without the torture.� Why the slow death?� A spear through the heart would make him just as dead.� Couldn't he just suddenly die?�

�� Jesus needs some special help at this time.� He needs a miracle performed just for him.� Yes, not by him, but for him.� Performed by his father as an act of parental love.� Do you have a miracle, God?� One especially for your son?� He is frightened.� Help him. [9]

�� Jesus hears a voice.� Coming out of the cold blackness.� He stops and listens.

�� "I remember pleading with God about not wanting to die too.� Just like you.� It was a long time ago.� On the peak of Pisgah in the Nebo mountain range down near Jericho." [10]

�� Moses?� Is that you, Moses? [11]

�� A little pin-point of light appears on the ground in front of Jesus' feet.� Like a fallen star that refuses to go out.� But different.

�� Jesus looks down at it in anticipation.� His heart beats faster as he backs up to make room.� His eyes get big.� Does he dare hope?

�� Moses?� Moses?� Answer!

�� Suddenly the light zooms upward!� Zipping!� Zig-zag!� Like electricity!� Like a lightening bolt!� In all directions!� Instantly!� In a flash!� But controlled!� Controlled energy!� Animated life!�

�� Just as instantly, it slows down.� Not in the least out of control, it takes shape.� Yes, there is a shape.� The shape of....� The shape of....� Of Moses!� Yes, of Moses!

�� I knew it was you!

�� The two men embrace.

�� "How have things been?"

�� Moses looks a lot older than Jesus, not because he lived fifteen centuries earlier, but because Moses lived to be quite an old man.� A hundred and twenty years old, to be exact.� Jesus is only 32.� Jesus is so young. [12]

�� "Yes, I argued with God too, when he said it was time for me to die.� I wasn't ready.� I didn't want things to be like that.� After all, I had led those stubborn rebellious nomad Jews through nothing but wilderness for forty years.� God had no right to replace me.� I at least deserved to go into the Promised Land with them to set up our new kingdom.� But, no.� God wouldn't hear of it."

�� Jesus looks in Moses' eyes.� It is going to be different with Jesus.� They are going to mock and torture him first.� For hours.� Then it is going to take hours draining the life out of him until his heart can bear no more before he is finally dead.� It isn't going to be with the dignity afforded to Moses.� At least he got to die of natural causes and in private.� It's just not fair.

�� "Your torture will last forty hours or so.� Mine lasted forty years. [13] �Every time something went wrong, the people blamed me.� They accused me of taking them away from home just to die.� They accused me of making them go hungry or thirsty ~ all kinds of things.� They never did die of hunger or thirst, but they always thought they would.� Forty years of this, Jesus.� Why did I put up with it?� I guess because I loved them." [14]

�� But Jesus' body is going to be on display for everyone to gawk at.� The indignity....

�� "Happened to me too," Moses replies.� "I wasn't in that body any longer after I died, mind you.� I was already in heaven.� But I knew what was going on.� God buried that body of mine himself.� But Satan wanted to dig it up and put it on display too." [15]

�� Jesus stops talking and listens more.� It is helping.� A little.� But not much.� He has faced down a lot of things in life, but....

�� They talk on.� Moses is sorry it has to be this way.� He reminds Jesus of the original Passover when the people finally left their slavery in Egypt.� They had to kill a perfect lamb and put his blood on the doorpost in order to live.� The lamb had to die for them.� Perfect Jesus has to die for them too.� But not just them.� The whole world.� What will the whole world do if he does not go through it? [16]

�� Jesus is still depressed.� He sits and thinks.� He stands and cries aloud to the heavens.� No!� No, God!� I don't want this!� His head continues to swirl.� His thoughts intermingle with confusion.� Around and around.� Like a whirlwind.

�� A whirlwind?� That reminds him of....

�� But no sooner does he think of him than another tiny light appears on the ground in front of him.� Another light zooming upward.� Zipping!� Zig-zag!� Like electricity.� Like a lightening bolt!� In all directions!� Instantly!� In a flash!� But controlled!� Controlled energy!� Animated life!�

�� Another light that just as instantly, slows down.� Not in the least out of control, it, too, takes shape.� This time....

�� Elijah?� Is that you, Elijah?

�� Yes, it's Elijah. [17]

�� "I've been listening in.� You're facing some heavy things.� I want to help you get through this."

�� "Thanks for coming," Moses adds.

�� "Except, instead of not wanting to die," Elijah continues, "I wanted to die.� Everyone was against me.� Even the kings wife.� She had spies everywhere trying to hunt me down.� Even though I was hiding, I sometimes thought they may as well find me and get it over with ~ the execution. " [18]

�� But you didn't have to die alone, Elijah.� Left to do it alone.

�� "No, but I had to live alone.� I was in hiding years at a time.� I once was in hiding the same length of time your ministry will last ~ three years.� You're going to do more good in your three years than I ever did in my three years. [19]

�� What was it like, Elijah?� The dying?� Well, not the dying, but, you know....

�� Elijah knows.� For he never died.� He was transformed directly from heaven.� In the whirlwind.� He never closed his eyes to die.� He saw the whole thing.� But there wasn't much difference.� Most people see nearly as much as he did during the transformation, the changing over from the physical world to the spiritual world. [20]

�� "It didn't hurt at all.� Once you begin the transformation, it doesn't hurt.� Actually, it was exciting!"

�� Jesus is a little encouraged.� But the sins of the world.� How can he do that?� He has never sinned.� Suddenly he is supposed to take the sins of the whole world into his body?� He never has sinned and does not intend to either.� But, when it happens, the dying, he has to give in to the enemy?� He has to take responsibility for all those sins?� Take the punishment for all those sins?� How can he possibly bear it? [21]

�� The burden.� It will be too great.� No one can bear up under all that.� It is impossible.� All those sins....� All the lies everyone who ever lived ever told.� All the sex outside marriage everyone ever participated in.� All the bragging of everyone who ever lived.� All the disobeying of everyone.� All the cheating.� All the hypocrisy.� All the laziness.� All the big thefts, and little thefts too.� All the drunken parties.� The lost tempers, and selfishness.� The jealousy, the impatience, the hostility, the murders.... [22]

�� Jesus has never done any of those things.� And he is expected to take the guilt of the whole world on himself all at once?� It's impossible!� No, God!� No.� Not that....� I was never that bad.� I always tried to please you, God.� I couldn't stand it if I didn't please you.� Oh God, not that...

�� "But the stronger the enemy is, the stronger God is proven to be," explains Moses.� "God didn't give Palestine to his people because they were so good.� They weren't.� Or strong.� They weren't that either.� When we're weakest is when God is obviously the strongest." [23]

�� "You're going to take on sin and death all in one fell swoop," Elijah adds.� "Then, just when Satan feels he has triumphed and killed you, God will raise you back to life.� Even if Satan killed you a dozen times, God would raise you back to life a dozen times.� Once Satan sees you raised, he will leave you alone.� He will never have power over you again.� Death is his most powerful weapon.� But it is not strong enough for God.� God's most powerful weapon is life." [24]

�� It's not that Jesus never knew any of this.� After all, Jesus IS life. [25] �But sometimes it's good to hear someone else say it.� Especially the human part.� It seems to be helping.

�� "You WILL triumph, Jesus!"

�� "You WILL overcome death!"

�� Jesus cautiously smiles.� Then a little more.� He has been reassured.� Yes, he can do it.� He's known all along.� He thinks he will be fine now.

�� "And the valley of the shadow of death?"

�� "We were just talking to David about that the other day.� And Zachariah, John the Baptist's father."

�� "Zachariah said when John was born that light has dawned in that valley.� There are no more shadows in death." [26]

�� "That's right, Jesus.� Of course you know that."

�� Yes, Jesus knows it.� But it is good to hear someone else say it too.� Someone else who knows first hand.

�� Things are much better now.� Jesus' heart is swelling once more with determination and courage.

�� Suddenly Peter, James and John start with a jerk and awaken.� They look at the light startled.� Then panic.� They jump up and stumble over their bed rolls trying to get out of the way.

�� The light!� What's that light!� Shattering!� Glancing like echoes of brilliance between three forms!� Three out-of-this-world forms!� Who are these forms?� Angels? What's going on? [27]

�� "Well, I guess we'd better be going," one of the forms says.

�� The lighted form.� It's talking.� What's happening here?

�� Thanks, Moses.� Thanks for coming.

�� Moses!� That's Moses over there?� Peter and James and John are not believing their eyes.� Or their ears.� Moses?� The one who gave God's law to the people and got it organized as a nation?� The man who talked face to face with God?� Moses?

�� You too, Elijah.

�� "It's been my pleasure."

�� Elijah!� Him too?� He's the other form?� That's Elijah?�

�� They peer through the light, trying to focus.� Well, of course.� He's dressed just like John the Baptist.� Or was it the other way around?� Wow!� Elijah!� The greatest and most powerful prophet to ever live!� The one who went to heaven without dying!

�� The two heavenly forms turn to leave.� As they do, the three men's eyes focus on the third form.� Who is the third form?� Or what?�

�� They gasp in amazement!� They are stupefied!� Dumbfounded!

�� "It's....It's...."

�� "Jesus!"

�� How can it be? His scuffed leather sandals aflame with grandeur!� Lightening darting through his dirty tunic and torn robe!� Radiance illuminating his face and wind-blown hair with glory! �This ordinary man.� This man who made cabinets.� This guy who loves to eat raisin cakes and can't carry a tune.�� His very being dazzling with brilliance!� And majesty!� Heavenly majesty!

�� What to say?� Think of something.� Quick, before they disappear.

�� "Hey, Peter," James whispers urgently.� "Say something.� Stop them!"

�� "Like what?" Peter responds, also in a whisper.

�� "Come on!� You always think of something, Peter."

�� Peter clears his throat.� He'd better do it fast.� They're leaving.

�� "This is really great!" he finally blurts out.

�� "We'll put up tents.� Each of us brought one with our bed roll.� We can put up one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.� Then they can spend the night and we can honor all three of you properly." [28]

�� Jesus turns in his direction.� Somehow, Peter decides that was the wrong thing to say.� But Peter is scared.� So are his friends.� What's going on here?

�� Suddenly a great white fog moves in on them.� All of them.� Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Peter, James and John.� All six.�

�� What's going on?� Where are we?� What's happening? [29]

�� Moses knows.� It happened many times when he spoke face to face with God.� But Moses says nothing.� They will learn for themselves.� Just like he did.� They must. [30]

�� Just as suddenly, Jesus' three friends realize they cannot see anyone.� The cloud.� It's so bright!� Dazzling!� Brilliant!� Blinding!�

�� They turn in circles and simultaneously reach out.� Reach out for someone.� Anyone.� Is anyone there any more?� Has everyone disappeared?� The cloud.� It won't let go.� It's got a grip on them.� Their fear has a grip on them.� What is happening?� Oh, God, help us....

�� Then a rumbling....

�� "THIS...."

�� Who's that talking?

�� "THIS IS MY...."

�� That voice!� It sounds indignant!� It sounds forceful!� It sounds....

�� "THIS IS MY VERY OWN SON WHOM I LOVE...."

�� Your son?� Your son?�

�� Oh, God!� It's you!� It's actually God!

�� But God isn't through yet....

�� "....HE IS THE ONE I HAVE CHOSEN."

�� Oh, definitely, God.� We've chosen him too.� Are we supposed to make a choice, God?

�� "LISTEN TO HIM!" [31]

�� It echoes around the mountain peak and through the universe.� Listen to him....to him....to him....him....him....

�� Yes, him, and no one else.� No longer Moses, who introduced the law.� No longer Elijah who introduced the prophets.� Only to Jesus.� His beloved Jesus.�

�� The three fall on their faces in fear.� Oh God!� Have we displeased you?� Did Peter say the wrong thing?� He didn't mean to, God.� Please, forgive us God.� What are you going to do to us?�

�� They quake.� Their spirits tremble.� Their souls shudder in anticipation.� Will they be stricken dead?

�� A touch!� God is touching them!� The stroke of death!� No, God!� We didn't understand....� Please, God....

�� But nothing happens.� No zapping.� No death stroke.�

�� Slowly they dare to look up.� Even though they cannot see for the brilliance of the cloud, they look up.

�� The touch is Jesus.� And the cloud is gone.� All that is left is Jesus. [32]

�� Oh, Jesus!� You are the son of the living God!� You are!� Oh, Jesus, Lord Jesus!� You are God!

�� "Come on.� You can get up now," Jesus assures them quietly.

�� They feel a need to bow to Jesus a little longer.� Bow.� Pay homage to God in their midst.� God in a human form.� Lanky and dirty and needing a shave.� Nevertheless, God.

�� He waits for them patiently.� He needs to absorb the moment too.� Despite his depression and despair, his father loves him still.�

�� Oh father, I love you too.

�� "Come on," Jesus repeats.� "It's okay."�

�� He is still quiet.� Pensive.� They're all that way.� The three rise and are once again eye level with their God.� God looks back at them through Jesus' eyes, the eyes of love.� They all love each other.�

�� They embrace.� The four.� But they do not soon let go.� This is a special moment.� They cling to the moment as well as to each other.� Grown men.� Yet clinging in a manly sort of way.� Clinging to glory.�

�� Moses and Elijah look down from heaven and see the four in their huddle.� They're ready for the battle now.� They're psyched up.� Now they can face anything.� The two smile contentedly.

�� The sun is just beginning its ascent up into a new day.� It is dawn.� They shouldn't go back down the mountain just yet.� Let the shadows of night go completely away.� Descend to the valley when light has fully dawned there.

�� Any questions?

�� They are full of them.� Sitting there huddled in the blankets with some of the mountain snow lingering bearby,

�� "Do you think anyone will believe us when we tell them?" John asks.

�� "Don't tell them yet.� They wouldn't understand.� They don't need to know just now.� Wait until after I've risen back to life from my grave."

�� Jesus reaches into his pack which he'd brought along, and gets out some bread.� He shares with them.� Jesus is always sharing.

�� "Risen from death?" James whispers to Peter.

�� His friends sit looking at Jesus with perplexed wonder.�

�� "What does he mean?" John whispers.

�� "How should I know?" Peter responds.� "You know how he talks in allegories and parables and riddles all the time.� I'm sure not going to be the one to ask him." [33]

�� "Me neither."

�� "Uh, Jesus, could I ask you something?"

�� "We agreed not to ask that," James whispers as he jabs Peter in the side.

�� "The last book in the scriptures says that Elijah is supposed to come back and prepare the way before the Day of God arrives.� So, why didn't Elijah stay with us?" [34]

�� "He did stay.� And he prepared my way."

�� "He did?"

�� "Yes, and he was terribly mistreated, just as it was predicted he would be." [35]

�� "John the Baptizer?� Is that who he's referring to?" someone whispers.

�� "Yes, he means John the Baptizer was Elijah."

�� "Of course.� We should have known that.� Jesus told us several times outright that he was Elijah even before John was executed."

�� "Just as it was predicted he would be mistreated," Jesus goes on, "I will be too.� Only worse." [36]

�� The sun has made a full appearance.� Dawn is over and the day has begun.� A new day.� A fresh day.� A day Jesus can face head on.� He is his old self again.� They are all grateful.

�� He stands.� It is time to go.�

�� They work their way down the mountain.� The thoughts rush around in their heads, bouncing between the lights, the voices, the predictions.� What are they descending off this mountain to?� In their dilemma they are left hanging.� They do not know they will all some day descend to the gates of hell and walk away in triumph.

�� Back on the main road, they go back into Caesarea Philippi where they meet up with the other nine.� Together they accompany Jesus as he gives one last lecture, and tops it all off with one last miracle.� A duzy.� He commands a demon to leave a young man.� The demon obeys.� The demon is afraid of Jesus.� He knows who Jesus is.

Autumn AD 29
Capernaum, Galilee

�� So they wend their way home.� Peter, James and John are unusually quiet.� The others do not know what went on up there in the mountain.� They think it was just prayer.� They do not know it was answered like stars colliding.� They do not know the reply exploded into resplendence.� They do not know the acknowledgment of this prayer was met with shared divinity.

�� They make their way down through Syria.� Down to the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee.� They're back in Capernaum.� Home.� Home at last.� And home for the last time.� Not for all of them.� Just for the one. [37]

�� Jesus walks slowly through the familiar streets trying to etch each building, each landmark, into his memory.� The square, the synagogue, the inns, the houses of friends and enemies alike.�

�� He passes his mother's house.� He must spend a little more time with her.� She will be going to Jerusalem when he does, but he needs this time alone with her.�

�� And his brothers.� He needs to try one last time to help them see him for who he is.� A big brother, true, but more than that.� A divine big brother.� They could be children of God too.� If they'd just open their eyes.

�� He spends more time in private with his twelve aides too.� He explains time and again what is going to happen down in Jerusalem.� They do not want to hear it.� But he tells them anyway.� He makes them listen.

�� "I am going to be betrayed," he explains.

�� No, Jesus.� Who would betray you?� You haven't hurt anyone.

�� They know this isn't true.� He has insulted the Temple leaders for being hypocrites and leading the people away from God's will and to their own.

�� No one argues with him.� He has warned them not to.� Did they not all hear him call Peter Satan when he tried to talk Jesus out of walking into the lion's jaw in Jerusalem?�

�� "Then they will execute me," he goes on.

�� No response.� The twelve do not like what they are hearing.� It does not make sense.� Walk into the trap of the enemy with eyes wide open.� Jesus, don't do this.� But they do not say it aloud.

�� "Three days later I will be raised back to life again."

�� There he goes talking in riddles again.� Why does he have to toy with our emotions like that? [38]

�� Jesus does not back down.� He said it with some hesitancy before.� But since he left that mountain in Syria, he has been more forceful about it, more determined.� Actually he is becoming a fanatic about it.

�� Please, Jesus, quit telling us about it.� We don't want to hear it any more.

�� Finally the day comes to leave Capernaum.� Leave for good.� Head out to Jerusalem.� Jerusalem and betrayal.� Torture.� A long, drawn-out death.�

�� What for, Jesus?

Autumn AD 29
Highway to Jerusalem

�� Back on the road they head out.� Jesus leading the way.� His twelve walking immediately behind him.� Others lagging behind.� They have been told.� They want to be there for him.� When it happens. [39]

�� The twelve are astonished.�

�� "I'm going to be betrayed and turned over to the Sanhedrin.� They are the ones who will condemn me for treason and hand me over to the Romans to carry out the execution."

�� The people behind the apostles are outright afraid ~ his mother and her friends. [40]

�� They want to go with him.� But they are afraid.� Afraid for him.� Afraid for the twelve.� Even afraid for themselves.� But their love and admiration for his fearless determination, his courage, compels them to go with him.� How can they forsake him now?

�� As they progress faster than any of them wants to, Jesus sometimes makes his twelve aides walk closer to him.� He must explain it again.� Over and over.� Somehow it builds his courage.� It only confuses the others.

�� "I will be put on public display where people will mock me and even spit on me.� I will be beaten and otherwise tortured.� Eventually they will kill me.� But do not despair; three days later I'll rise back to life again."

�� Back to life?� Jesus, what does that mean back to life?� Three days.� Does that mean three hundred days?� Three centuries?� And life.� What does that mean exactly, Jesus?� We don't understand.� Talk to us plainly, Jesus. [41]

�� Jesus is resolute.� With dogged determination he walks ever southward.� South toward the holy city.� South to betrayal, torture and death.�

�� Jesus, how do you do it?

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� Since the Bible says we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), we have the same emotions God does.� Further, since God entered a human body, he had the same limitations we do ~ including our human fears.� Pray to God today and admit your own fears.� He will understand.

2.�� Just when Jesus needed it the most, God reassured him directly and in person.� The only way we can be reassured by God directly and in person today is through his words, the Bible.� In a concordance, look up the word "fear" in the Psalms, then read those scriptures.� King David in all his power was often fearful.� What advice from this inspired king helps you the most?

3.�� Are you facing or do you anticipate some day having to face something you greatly dread?� How will facing it head on help you?

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