Divine Schedule

Our days and weeks are so tightly scheduled; we haven’t time for the unexpected.

In our society, we’re used to taking the initiative. Making sure we’re maximising our potential and multitasking our lives to the nearest minute. We can do everything instantly, using our smart phones to update, search, buy, speak and entertain us. When something unexpected comes along we usually don’t know how to cope. Our days and weeks are so tightly scheduled; we haven’t time for the unexpected.

Jesus was 30 when his earthly ministry started. Beginning at his baptism, he spent 3 years obeying his father God, leading his disciples, teaching the people and healing the sick. Nature and death would all bow to his miraculous power, and neither would prevent his work and mission. A stormy sea calmed. A friend raised to life. Rich taxmen completely changed. The incurable healed. John sums up what he achieved in 3 years by saying “There are many other things which Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not be big enough for what would be written.” - John 21 v 25. What could he achieve in 10 years? Or 20? Perhaps if he lived to 70 years old, what could those 40 years contain?

He was always fully aware of his Father’s plan and the Divine Schedule he was to uphold

So was the crucifixion of Jesus a derailment of his awesome life? Was it a waste of the potential life he could have lived? Were it the account of my life or yours, the answer would almost certainly be “Yes”. The passing into eternity of any young person is usually viewed with much sorrow at their unfulfilled potential. Jesus however, was in full control of his life. He was always fully aware of his Father’s plan and the Divine Schedule he was to uphold. Several times the enemies of Jesus tried to kill him, but each time the Lord could say “My time has not yet come” - John 7 v 8. However, One day, just before the Passover feast, as Jesus was leading his disciples towards Jerusalem, He would tell them “Look, we are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be turned over to the leading priests and the teachers of the law, and they will say that he must die. They will give the Son of Man to the non-Jewish people to laugh at him and beat him with whips and crucify him. But on the third day, he will be raised to life again” – Matt 20 v 18-19

Throughout the Lord’s final hours; from his arrest, through his trial and onto his crucifixion, Jesus showed his complete control. Showing restraint as the soldiers arrested him. Submitting to Pilate's authority (While acknowledging it was only his because Heaven had given it to him) and even patiently enduring the sickening treatment at the hand of gentile soldiers (Suffering Saviour). Ultimately, the greatest display of his control over his life was the final minutes before his death. He, having saved the criminal on the neighboring cross, and sought his disciple John to care for his mother, and endured the full, unknown weight and punishment of sin for humanity, cried with a loud voice and bowed his head and died. Jesus had cried “It is finished” – John 19:30. Anyone else would have died and their head drop, but Jesus having finally finished the great work of salvation, “Bowed his head and died”. He knew the very moment, location, means but ultimately the purpose of his death. His Divine Schedule had for a little while finished; 3 days it would be left blank. But God gloriously raised him up from the dead, showing many people that he was alive again. 

Our lives are for the living now, a time to serve the Lord and to worship him in the world; but at anytime, maybe today, our schedules will be over. Whether we are alive or “dead in Christ” (1 Thess 4:16) when he returns, our work and labour will be over and we shall finally have rest. May we too submit to the Divine Schedule, going where and when our Lord calls, and seeking those who he has planned appointments with.

Yours in His name.

Dan