The Rock

I left my trade to follow this man. I gave up my profession and followed Him. I saw something amazing in Jesus. He shows people love in ways we have never seen before and knows more about the Law and Prophets than the rabbis. What He started talking about recently has me on edge. He started saying He was going to die. I won’t let that happen. He’s far too important.

He saved us in the midst of the storm. I saw Him sleeping as we panicked and were afraid for our lives during a storm at sea. Walls of angry, churning water crashed around us. We woke Him, desperately pleading for His help to manage the boat. We needed all the help we could get if we were to survive. We were desperate. He got up and told us our faith was small and asked why we were afraid. Then he rebuked the wind and waves. All he did was speak... The seas immediately calmed. He has power over the wind, waves, and sea. How could He be talking about dying the way He has been?

This week we went to Jerusalem. He had us get a young donkey to ride on the way into Jerusalem. It was a tremendous thrill. As we went into the city, the excited crowds, who had seen or heard of the miracles He had done, waved palm branches, celebrated, and sang to herald Him into the city. It was a party in the streets. The crowd energy was like nothing I’ve experienced before. There’s no way He’s headed for death.

I believe in who He is. He is the Christ. He is the Son of the Most High. I saw Him walking on the waves in the Sea of Galilee. He was just out there as if the water was a firm, stone path. He inspired me. I yelled out to see if I could join Him. He told me to come to Him and I left the boat. I was out there with Him. I was taking steps on the water. I should have been sinking, but He was beckoning me, calling me to keep coming to Him. As I moved to Him, I noticed the waves. They seemed more menacing now that I was out of the boat. What I was doing just then was in defiance of nature. Man can’t walk on water…and I sank. I flailed and cried out as the firm place I stood gave way. I was left floating in the tumultuous water. Desperation would have taken hold, but

He pulled me out of the water and brought me back to the boat. He defied all that we knew about what is possible. He cannot be killed like He is saying He will be.

We will be in Jerusalem for the Passover. He is gaining such recognition here that we may witness great things. Perhaps we’ll see another blind man healed. Maybe He will make the lame walk. We passed some at the gates of the city. So many people need His healing. This whole nation needs His power. The establishment is corrupt. We need a change in our leadership. How incredible would it be if He led our nation? He could do it too. So many seem to want to follow Him. Why would He keep talking about His death?

I won’t let Him be taken by the Pharisees; they need to be removed. I won’t turn away from Him. He’s too vital to me and the rest of us He chose. I’ll never forsake Him. He’s my leader, my ruler, my rabbi, and my Lord. He said He’s going to bring His kingdom to earth. He can’t die…

Passion Week Stories

The Bible speaks of Peter’s conviction. Jesus was Peter’s absolute ruler. He would do whatever Jesus asked. He had seen the miracles of Christ that broke the very laws of nature. Could Jesus really be preparing to die?

Many of us know that Jesus did. If you don’t, I hope you’ll take some time to read or listen to John chapters 19 to 21. As we approach Easter Sunday, I want to share my imaginings of what the followers of Christ might have been going through as they headed to what would be the most trying time in their life. They were heading to the climax of the story of all mankind. They had given up any plans they had for their lives to follow Jesus. It was all about to change. He was going to die, but that was not the end of His story.