Study Journal Check-In #7

Have you used your scripture journal with each bloc of reading in John 8-11; Matt. 21:1-22:14; Mark 11:1-12:12; Luke 19:28-20:19; John 12:1-19?

Yes

What are two additional resources that have enhanced your study?

The New Testament Student Manual and Jesus the Christ

Share one insight that you have gained from your scripture study and/or from the additional resource.

One thing that I learned this week was about the faith that is required of us as we follow Jesus. When Jesus was preparing to enter into Jerusalem, he needed a donkey upon which he could ride. So he asked two of his disciples to go and retrieve one for him. However, he didn't send them with money or any other form of compensation. He simply told them to go and take it and to tell the owners that "the Master needs it."

As I was reading, I realized that that likely required a lot of faith. I know that if I were in their situation, I probably would have protested, at least a little bit. "We can't just go take someone's donkey. That's not right. What will I say to them. What if they don't want me to take it? What can I give them to pay for it? What if I get arrested and have to suffer for it? You go do it, Jesus, you're the one who wants it. If you're so willing to risk all of that to get the donkey, go put yourself on the line instead of me."

However, the disciples simply acted in faith. They accepted the task Jesus gave to them and performed it with exactness, not cowering when they encountered the owners, not being afraid to be obedient.

How has this insight blessed your life or how have you applied what you learned?

I need to learn to be obedient with the exactness with which those two disciples acted. They were willing to follow what Christ said, even if they were against it, even if they didn't understand it, even if they were risking facing consequences for it from men. They feared God more than they feared men. I need to have that same sort of fear. I need to be willing to simply obey, even if I don't understand in that very moment. I need to be willing to put everything on the line for Jesus, and by extension, his prophets, in order to prepare the way for him. I'm not the best at that right now, but it is something that I can commit to improving over time.