Matthew 17:22-27
While discussions regarding the temple tax, and Peter being sent to catch a fish with a coin in its mouth are interesting, I would like for us to look at Jesus’ prediction of his betrayal, suffering and death. We are told that the disciples were greatly distressed when Jesus said this. This is the second time that Jesus has told them of his coming passion, death and resurrection. The first prediction by Jesus (Matthew 16:21) brought a very strong reaction from Peter. Peter took the position of absolute denial saying, “Never Lord! This shall never happen to you.” As we know Jesus corrected Peter. Indeed these things were going to come to pass.
This second time when Jesus brings up the subject, there was no argument. We are simply told that the disciples were “greatly distressed.” Their reactions seem so true to life that they have to be authentic. Bad news of this magnitude had to be so devastating that their first reaction would have been disbelief. Once the reality of everything settled in, the subject would certainly be distressing.
As I write this devotional my brother is lying in a hospice unit in Tennessee. This will almost certainly be the last day in his struggle with pancreatic cancer. I think back to the beginning of his struggle, when we were first told the diagnosis, and the prognosis. We were told that he had possibly six months to one year of life remaining. My reaction was much like Peter’s. I felt that the doctor’s had neglected to look at the most important variable. They had not taken into account that he is Andy Winkle. They had no idea how tough and strong he is. They had no idea how special he is, and what wonderful motivations he has to live. While not in absolute denial, we rejected the prognosis.
With the possible exception of when Pope John Paul II was shot, I do not believe that any man has had more prayers offered up to God on his behalf. He is well loved by his family and friends, and numerous congregations pray for him every day. There were healing services for him, yet the disease progressed. The doctors were extremely aggressive in their chemotherapy in their efforts to halt the advance of the cancer. The cancer would lay low at times and roll with the punches, but it was also aggressive and relentless.
Of course Andy went through his own phase of denial, and anger. He asked the “Why me?” sorts of questions. Although there is no answer to any of our “why me?” questions, Andy realized that we are fallen people, living in a fallen world. When he suffered greatly, he remembered that Jesus had also suffered greatly, for him.
As Andy’s last days have come upon us, we find ourselves “greatly distressed” at what has come to pass. But the good news message that tomorrow holds is right there in the words of Jesus in our text. Jesus says that, “on the third day he will be raised.” In the midst of our distress over the suffering of Good Friday, we forget about Easter. How can we be so greatly distressed when we know that the tomb is empty?
My brother Andy may die today, but “even though he dies, yet shall he live.” And the time will most certainly come when the shadows lengthen and the days shall end for all of us. We may suffer, but we need not be greatly distressed. The message of Easter is true.
The Painting, ”Empty Tomb” is by Dale R. Molnar, © South Light Studio, Inc., 2008. (http://www.southlightstudio.net/)
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I love you David Winkle! You are and always will be by brother!