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Hardship comes before great joy; do not miss the middle portion

I believe I still hold the record in my old firm from 1986 when I stayed a record of 3 continuous days working in the office without going home.  On the third day I had to call my mother (I was a bachelor then living at home and with no car) to bring me a new shirt and some toiletries.  I did get a few small winks on the office couch.  Otherwise, no sleep.  Even when I went home the 3rd day to crash, I got a wakeup call that evening to explain something.  I was working on three different matters related to the same crisis.  We were determined to get ready to help the Government disburse funds before an important celebration.  The pain was worth the smiles and joy.

Mark 8:17-21
But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.” So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

Jesus demonstrated the power of the kingdom by feeding the 5,000 and the 4,000 with small number of loaves and fish and healing of many. This obviously brought great joy for the multitudes.  After doing all this the Jewish leaders still wanted a sign but Jesus refused to give it. He in turn asked the disciples to be careful of the Jewish leaders. And then he asked his own disciples who they knew him to be. Peter answered correctly by saying He is the Christ.  But Peter could not accept what Jesus was going to suffer.

Mark 8:31-33
And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Jesus tells us that we need to be ready to take up our cross and follow Him. He explained clearly that he was to die, but Peter could not believe this and could not accept it. As recorded in Matthew the expectation is that Jesus will be king of Israel and deliver them from the rule of the Roman Empire. Yes, He is the Christ, but we cannot miss the middle portion of God's plan; that is His death and resurrection.  God's plan for the redemption of all of Mankind.

Father, let me understand your ways which are higher than our anticipated human ways.
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