October 6 - Death of a Vision

 Read today’s texts first: Esther 9,10; Luke 19

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When your limited view of the world leads you right
into a stone wall and your nose gets out of joint,
extend your vision a little further. 

We’ve all experienced it.  We had a dream, a vision of a preferred future, only to have it crushed by an unexpected turn of events.  The story we just read in Esther has more twists and turns than a Hitchcock movie.  And it’s a true story.  But in all of recorded history, no one has ever gone through a bigger crash than the disciples.

Despite the clear description Jesus gave of His impending crucifixion, it simply didn’t register (18:31-34).  So often our minds are made up, so we don’t want to be confused by the facts.  They had a preconception that Jesus would overthrow the Roman occupation and take up literal rulership over Israel.

The triumphal entry got their hopes soaring.  This was the parade of a future king and everyone knew it.  The crowd was clearly behind their hero, which boosted their own status by association.  Maybe the sacrifices they had made to this point were going to pay off after all!  Well that was Sunday, but Friday’s a’coming (to play on that famous Campolo sermon).

Good Friday wasn’t so “good” for the disciples - they experienced the most excruciating “death of a vision” imaginable.  As their king hung on the cross in disgrace, they scattered like cockroaches for cover, now suddenly guilty by association.  That’s Friday, but Sunday’s a’coming!

“Lord, when my limited view of the world leads me right into a stone wall and my nose gets out of joint, raise my eyes a little higher and extend my vision a little further.  New life is just over the horizon!”