Your Spiritual Journey
What Now
WHAT NOW?
Have you ever been in a situation where you had a plan in place and thought you knew what the outcome would be, only to have something cause the plan to change? I can think of many times when I was sure of what to do and moved forward with confidence, only to be left standing there mumbling a question to myself….What Now?
Recently I found myself thinking about the disciples and wondering if they were asking the same question after Jesus died on the cross. We know from the gospels that they were afraid and confused. The two disciples traveling to Emmaus provide us with a look into their fears when in Luke chapter 24, Jesus appeared to them, but they could not recognize Him. He asked them what they were talking about, and they explained how Jesus had been crucified (verses 15-20). They went on to say, “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (verse 21).
They had an idea about how following Jesus was going to turn out for them. They had a plan. They hoped that Jesus would redeem Israel, but Jesus’ death on the cross was not in their plan…What Now?
We read in Acts chapter 1 that Jesus spent 40 days after His resurrection answering that question for his disciples. He prepared them for “What Now”, the Holy Spirit and the fact that they would become witnesses for Him (verses 3-8).
We have the benefit of knowing the answer to the question, “What Now”. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells 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”.
We know the plan and we know the outcome. We also know what Jesus needs us to do for him, and as added assurance, we know that He is with us.
In Christian Love,
Bob