Key Texts: Matthew 16: 21; Matthew 17: 22 – 23; John 19; Luke 22: 1 – 13; Matthew 21: 1 – 11
Additional Texts: Zechariah 9: 9; Zechariah 11: 12 – 13; Zechariah 12: 10; Isaiah 52: 13 – 15; Isaiah 53; Philippians 4: 19; Psalm 23; Matthew 6: 25 – 34; Psalm 84: 11; John 11: 45 – 57; Genesis 22: 14
The ‘Show and Tell’ series has been an exploration of a few lessons from God through Jesus, as seen in His earthly ministry. Whether through His candidness in some of His interactions – through His speech or His actions, Jesus reveals God’s heart and subsequently gives us strategies for walking with Him. In this instalment, God’s astute planning and provision for Jesus’ earthly ministry reflect His nature as Provider for us too.
In the Key Texts, the synoptic gospels provide accounts of the events leading to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (as prophesied in the Old Testament and predicted by Jesus in His interactions with His disciples). This period had been prophesied before His birth, and the final stage of His earthly ministry was imminent. In both Matthew 16 and 17, when Jesus prepared His disciples for His suffering and resurrection, He spoke confidently and directly, but still gave no intricate details about what would be needed during each stage. He knew His purpose and God’s timing, but did not seem worried about how each need for His ministry would be met. In John 17, (a chapter ahead of His arrest), His prayers were for God to glorify Himself through Him and for them to be reunited as The Trinity, His disciples and future disciples – not for the objects, attitudes or people needed for His role. Jesus, being God Himself, trusted that His needs would be provided for in advance or at the time of need.
Before Jesus was arrested, the leading priests and other leaders were already plotting to arrest and kill Him secretly (John 11: 57; Matthew 26: 1 – 5; Luke 22: 1-3). Their resentment of Jesus’ popularity and identity and willingness to kill Him were necessary for the speedy and unfair trial which led to His crucifixion (if it had been fair, He would not have been crucified as a Sacrifice!). They had already decided the outcome prior to the trial, but ‘followed’ the ‘law’ as they sought to justify their claims that Jesus had sinned. Though their legal system required rigid screening of ‘witnesses’, they actually tried to find some who would lie about Jesus to further their agenda, and even with the support of those who agreed to deceive, could find no just reason for killing Him. This corruption was needed and Jehovah Jireh, with ultimate control, provided it; they had purely evil motives, but He had one which was contrasting entirely pure – providing any who are willing, access to life with Him! Please note that followers of Jesus acknowledge these events and are humbled to know the suffering Jesus endured for us, but do not resent those who hurt Him – He was indeed wounded to draw us to His Father (Isaiah 53)! Without their hate, I would not have access to Father! When they were needed to accelerate His purpose for Jesus, God provided the hate-inspired accusers. Trust Him to likewise use every opposition against you for His glory in your life!
To support them, a traitor was also provided – Judas, the one who would betray Him with a kiss, gaining 30 pieces of silver which would later be used to buy a potter’s field as foreshadowed in Zechariah 11: 12 – 13. When Jesus chose the twelve disciples, God ensured that a willing, disloyal, opportunist – Judas would be available (even though it was by his free will or choice), to support the religious leaders who wanted to kill Jesus.
Additionally, for His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, God also provided the conveniently located, lowly colt, chosen for Jesus to ride on. Jesus gave the disciples precise instructions about the colt’s location, and provided the relevant words for them to say to anyone who challenged them. He knew that if any challengers heard that the Lord needed it, they would immediately agree to send the colt – a sure provision. Their attitudes and responses were predetermined provisions for Jesus’ needs.
Likewise, as the Passover approached, Jesus knew He would need a location for the final Passover Supper; He therefore sent His disciples to find a certain man with a pitcher who would meet them; they were instructed to follow him to a particular house, whose owner had prepared a meal and room for them. God provided for another need. In like manner, while He was on the cross, God made provision for another prophesy to be fulfilled, as the soldiers gambled for his garments (Psalm 22: 16 – 18). This prophesy is seemingly inconsequential, but highlighted the humiliation He suffered, and God’s commitment to fulfilling every word He had spoken about Jesus. Similarly, when a (temporary!) tomb was needed, Jesus made no prior preparation. He was unbothered about the tomb, as He knew He’d rise within three days! God provided Joseph of Arimathea (who had been eagerly waiting for a sign of God’s Kingdom on earth), to willingly wrap Jesus’ body and lay it in the tomb he had purchased for his own use. Afterwards, the leaders who killed Jesus went to Pilate and requested that the tomb was sealed and guarded in fear of Jesus’ foretelling of His resurrection. God provided even these resources that these men needed, as no grave or plot could restrict Jesus or God’s power!
Though the crucifixion was bloody, gruesome and painful, God kept His word precisely as seen in His timely provisions. He sent His Son on His salvation mission, and He did not lack anything He needed to fulfil all related prophecies. If God took His biological Son’s purpose so seriously that He meticulously provided for all it needed, anyone who is His adopted child has the same loving Father – one who promises to correspondingly complete His work in and through us! (Galatians 3: 26 – 28; John 1: 12; Galatians 4: 4 – 7; Romans 8: 14 – 17; Philippians 1: 6). This does not exempt us from planning/preparation and doing what we are able to, but it reminds us that God is a Provider who will ultimately ensure that we have all we need to fulfil His purpose for us. Though we may never face anything as gruesome as Jesus, we may face varying degrees of daunting assignments or responsibilities which cause us to be duly concerned. Regardless, as Jesus’ journey to the cross demonstrates, God will supply all our needs according to His endless resources (Philippians 4: 19).
In the same way that His provision for Jesus was consistent through His earthly ministry, including during unpleasant circumstances which ultimately worked for His and our good (Ephesians 1: 22 – 23; Galatians 3: 26 – 28), He is able to provide for us in all seasons, and use our dire circumstances and suffering for His glory. Whether we have tangible needs for resources, emotional needs or the need for support to pray and remain faithful to Him, God hears when we call out to Him (Psalm 34), even if He does not answer in our preferred ways – His plan is always superior and He will always provide all we need to fulfil His plans through us (Romans 8: 26 – 39).
Jesus obviously has more confidence than we do – He is a part of omniscient The Triune God. Regardless, as we grow in our relationship with Him in other ways, we should seek to trust God to provide as He did for Jesus and others, and grow in faith as we do so. As I said on several occasions, everything I write is firstly for me – let’s agree to seek God’s will, obediently do what we are able to with any resources He has already equipped us with, and trust Him to provide for all our needs, including resources we are not even aware that we will need! The (Pro) Provider has resources beyond our knowledge or imagination and will not abandon us.
Within my family, we are living testimonies of God’s provision, even though our faith wavered at some point. If you struggle to consistently trust God without worrying that He will provide for your needs, He will not condemn you and understands your humanness (John 3: 16 – 17; Romans 8: 1), but will still walk with you through seasons that teach you to trust Him more, and grow in other areas too (2 Corinthians 12: 8 – 10). I have no answers for the questions you may have about God’s provision and intentions for you; instead, if you’re interested in trusting Him to provide for you and knowing His will, talk to the (Pro) Provider about your needs today, even for a few seconds, a minute or five – He hears.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for everything You have provided for me – both the tangible and the intangible. Help me to remember that You are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, who will equip me with all resources I need to fulfil Your plans for me. I depend on You and relinquish my tendency towards self-sufficiency; help me to worry less and replace that with trust in You. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s – Jesus’ name. Amen.
