Neglected Promises

I understand what the disciples were saying, even though Christ questioned them after their statement. It is a question we should ask ourselves when we live through adversity.

His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? (John 16:29-31 KJV)

The disciples were saying that no one should ask for a sign to prove Jesus came from God. He had done enough, said enough, that it was obvious He came from the Father.

Yet, He asked them, “Do you believe?” They just said they did, why question them?

For the same reason we need to be questioned when we quail in front of difficult times.

God never promised us another Garden of Eden. Our lives are to be spent laboring among thorns and thistles for sustenance. We’ve been told there will be adversity, but Christ provides strength to get through it, and peace while in it.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 KJV)

Did you notice that I skipped verse 32? We would like to skip over the hard parts, moving from our confession of faith right to the peace and good cheer. Reality tells us there are bad things in between. Jesus knew what would happen, that His disciples would scatter and forsake Him, and He told them so.

Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. (John 16:32 KJV)

Matthew remembered this time with a bit more detail, recalling Peter’s strong denial.

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. (Matthew 26:33 KJV)

Matthew also records Peter’s bitter memories.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75 KJV)

Will we also weep because we neglected His promises, strengths and peace? You know, the ones we believed when we chose Him as our Lord and Savior. Are they with us now? Do we use them to stay close to Him, remember that He is with us always? Oh, yes, there were a few other things in that promise:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

Someone is learning from you. What are we teaching?

Detail from Brooklyn Museum's "Jesus Discourses with his Diciples" by James Joseph Jacques Tissot ca 1890 (Wiki Commons)