Just like He Said

Have you ever been to an escape room?

Better yet, have you managed to escape during the allotted time?

I went on a triple date to an escape room a few years ago. As we entered the room we would ultimately be trapped in, I began studying my surroundings. Two boxes were on the ground, and a few newspaper clippings were on the wall. One wall had a huge map covering it. Minus a table and a couple of other miscellaneous items, that's all we had to go off of to figure out how to escape.

Going into this challenge and witnessing the bare-bones room, I thought this would be a piece of cake. We are bound to bust out of this room in minutes between the six of us.

It's almost comical how overly confident we were but how terrible we did. After our designated time, we had to admit defeat and request release.

While locked up, we poured over clues and read every bit of information we could get. We hypothesized and tested various solutions, but nothing worked.

After admitting defeat, we witnessed the ultimate escape. We saw where we got it wrong, and we finally were able to connect the dots to see what we had been missing all along.

As I reflect on that experience and how many of the clues went right over my head because I was looking at the problem too closely, I can't help but think about some of the final moments Jesus had with his disciples.

Matthew 26: 30-35: "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same."

Oh, how the red-lettered words of the Lord pierce my heart and make me want to shake a few of the disciples. I wish I could lean over and whisper to them- pay attention! Don't miss this! He is telling you everything you need to know.

With scripture at my fingertips and seeing the bigger picture, I can quickly judge the disciples. Why don't they get it? How can they be focused on themselves in a time like this?

But, just as quickly as my critiques of their words and actions begin to flow, I am reminded of how it must have felt to be up close and personal to Jesus in these final moments.

Maybe a few of them were overly confident with their sword-fighting skills (Looking at you here, Peter.)

Maybe some were knees deep in the weeds, trying to figure out another way out of this mess. I can imagine they would go anywhere or do anything to protect their Lord.

And yet, despite the chaos of it all, Jesus told them everything they needed to know. He told them what would happen before the worst of it even began. He told them He would go before them to Galilee.

In essence, He told them the way out.

The Grand Finale.

He told them to have hope because death does not win in this story.

But man, it's so easy to get stuck in the chaos of all the fine details and feel paralyzed in the moment.

This week, as we reflect on the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, may these words penetrate our hearts and seep deep into our bones.

God is sovereign.

He is always faithful to His word.

Jesus told the disciples everything they needed to know to navigate the heart-wrenching moments ahead. Everything He said would happen came to pass, just as He said they would.

Friends, Are you paying attention? Or are you lost in the weeds looking for alternative routes?

The Lord that goes before you is speaking truth to your heart. Don't miss it.

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