By: Rex Stump
“I believe that we will win, I believe that we will win!” That is the chant from the fans with seconds left on the game clock. Their team is winning, up by more than double digits, of course they are going to win.
The attitude of the fans reminds me of the disciples and people in Jerusalem when Jesus rode into the city and the people cheered like it was game over, like they had won, and Jesus was their victor. We call it Palm Sunday.
But as we continue to read, we soon discover that days later, the cheers in the crowd turned from celebration to accusation. From “I believe that we will win” to “kill the one who has no sin!”
It made no sense. Not only did the people turn, but in the garden of Gethsemane the disciples also ran and abandoned their Messiah, Jesus Christ.
How could someone so close to Jesus fall? They had witnessed the powerful miracles of Jesus, His healing touch, His inspiring teaching, His gentle spirit, and His strength over demonic forces. They knew He was the Son of God! Yet, they ran away when things got tough.
Between the moment of Jesus riding into Jerusalem and His arrest in the garden, there was a moment that should have sealed their belief.
I’m sure there were many moments, but this one always amazes me. In Mark 14:12-16, Jesus sent two of His disciples into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you.
Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’
He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.”
Jesus completely describes by exact detail what will happen. In verse 16 we read, “So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.” Just as Jesus said. That moment, those four simple words sum up the life of Jesus. Just as Jesus said.
I can’t judge the actions of the disciples because I know my faith has weak moments too. But I’m learning that, if Jesus said it, trust it to happen.
Even when it looks like we are going be defeated, alone, or discouraged…trust Jesus. We will fail like the disciples and maybe run when it gets tough. We will doubt, and we will get fearful. In those tough times, trust Jesus.
Jesus saves, forgives, renews our hearts, and sets us free. He said it. Trust Him. In the fickleness of our humanness, praise God for our Divine Savior who gives grace and love to those who believe. In the end, “I believe that we will win,” because I know that He has won!
———————–
Rex Stump is the Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a Pastor at True North Church in Wauseon, Ohio.