Appointed To Bear Fruit: A 90 Day JourneySample

Determined to Do God’s Will

God’s goals are very often different from our goals. We want immediate answers to the perplexing situations that we find ourselves in. Yet when God answers us immediately, we often don’t understand His purposes. Why is it that Jesus often avoids giving a clear response when asked a question? The answer is related to our understanding of God’s plan. Oftentimes, we throw questions at God hoping for an immediate answer, so we can move on from our current struggle. But God is working in that situation to accomplish something greater. He is at the same time fulfilling His perfect plan in our lives as well as in the lives of others. For example, the Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus to reveal the source of His authority. Jesus could have plainly answered that He was God Incarnate. An answer like that would have only caused a riot, because the leaders would have accused Jesus of blasphemy. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were not ready to accept that Jesus was God. Jesus avoided answering directly not because He was afraid to die, He was willing to die, but His death had to be according to the time decreed by the Father. 

So, when Jesus announced that one of the disciples would betray Him, His followers grew troubled. This prediction cut to their hearts. One of them was going to hand Jesus over to be killed. How is it possible that someone could be so cruel as to do such a despicable thing? Realizing that, Peter and John, the two disciples nearest to Jesus, wanted to know who Jesus was referring to. We don’t know what their motivation was for asking. Perhaps they wanted to beat up the betrayer. That is entirely possible. Or, if Jesus announced it to all the disciples at the table with Him, they might have attempted to prevent the capture of Jesus. Later that night in the garden, Peter attempted to protect Jesus when he pulled out a sword. Whatever the reason, clearly Jesus did not want to reveal the name openly. We should be impressed by Jesus’ determination to go to the cross. Many obstacles stood between Jesus and Golgotha. But at every crossroad, Jesus chose the Father’s plan rather than His own well-being. By not plainly answering John’s question, Jesus again chose to deny Himself in order to fulfill the Father’s plan.

But in an indirect manner, Jesus did answer John’s question. Despite not grasping Jesus’ answer at that moment, in God’s time John did come to understand it clearly. Has God revealed an answer to you that you found hard to grasp at the time, but later you came to understand? The important thing is when God answers us, we must obey Him without hesitation. We obey while waiting for the Lord to fulfill His purpose. Jesus showed John who the betrayer was. He dipped bread in the wine and handed it to Judas. Although Jesus did not announce Judas’ name to the disciples, Jesus needed to share the burden of that night with His close friend John. What a blessing it is to have a friend in ministry with whom we can trust our secrets and share our burdens.

Perhaps Jesus didn’t tell the other disciples that Judas was the betrayer, because He wanted to give Judas an opportunity to repent. Jesus had already washed Judas’ feet and told Judas that He knew of the coming betrayal. Judas was extended one last opportunity to repent. With great patience, the Lord works in the heart of every sinner. As long as the person is still alive, He gives them the opportunity to humble themselves and confess their sin. Never grow weary of offering the gospel to sinners. God is not finished working in their lives. 

Application:  Are you obeying Christ by fulfilling His plans for your life?