Happy Saturday and welcome to Day 10 of our 40-day devotional Journey to the Cross. As a reminder, these devotions are derived from the book by the same title by A. Trevor Sutton. The book is produced by CTA. Check out their resources at https://www.ctainc.com/.

From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.”

Matthew 16:21-23

You’ve planned the journey of a lifetime. You’ve spent hours on Google Maps scouting your trip. You’ve looked at every stop along the way and planned out an itinerary. You’ve prepurchased tickets for all the attractions. Your car is fueled up and ready to go. You’ve planned all of your rest stops along the way. Planning has taken months.

Could you imagine this? As you are driving down the road and about to turn west to head to the Pacific, a sign catches your eye. In a split-second decision, you decide to turn east and head for the Atlantic coast instead? You cast aside all your carefully laid plans and head toward the new destination. Can you imagine that? I can’t!

As Jesus headed for the cross, he encountered many distractions. There were new places to see, things to do, people to heal. Even His good friend Peter tried to dissuade him from His purpose. Jesus’s rebuke toward Him is clear: “Get behind me, Satan!” Peter was not thinking about God’s concerns. But Jesus was never distracted. He never detoured or deterred.

He wasn’t just on the journey of a lifetime, but the journey to change all eternity. His journey was to work God’s salvation for you. He was not deterred, and because of His tenacity, now nothing can ever disrupt God’s love for you.

Today as you pray, ask God to give you a clear focus on His plans for you and a tenacity for to serve Him in that way.

Thank you for joining me today. Tomorrow is the Lord’s Day. Let me encourage you to find a local church in which to worship with other believers and come back for a special bonus post. Take time this weekend to rest in the Lord.

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