We were visitors from another state. Soon after we began driving through the mountains of northern Idaho, a local pickup truck loaded with household goods pulled out in front of us. At first I was a little annoyed because I had to slow down quite a bit until he picked up speed. But when we went around that first hairpin curve on the narrow mountain road, with its drop-off shoulder on one side and its high embankment on the other, I began to think differently of that truck driver. In fact, I was thankful he was in front of us. If he hadn’t been directly in front of us, I’m sure I would have gone too fast around that curve.
I pictured our car crashing through the guardrail and hurtling through space to the bottom of the canyon. I thanked my heavenly Father for sending that pickup truck to go ahead of us.
Obviously its driver was very familiar with the road. When he slowed down, I knew that it was a necessary thing to do. When he speeded up, I knew it would be safe for me to do the same. He was a wonderful leader through all the twists and turns and ups and downs of that winding, mountain road, and I was very glad to be following him.
Boys and girls, and grown-ups too, can have a wonderful leader. As the Lord Jesus walked through this world, He set a perfect example. He always did only things that pleased God His Father. As a child He obeyed His parents. As a man He went about doing good, healing many who were sick and teaching people about the kingdom of God.
When wicked men wanted to kill Him because they thought too many people were following Him as their leader, He never held back even once to go to Jerusalem, even though He knew that He would be taken captive there. He also knew that He would be mocked, beaten and finally nailed to a cross like a common criminal.
But it was all part of God’s plan so that you and I could have our sins forgiven. In Proverbs 8:2323I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. (Proverbs 8:23) we read of the Lord Jesus that He “was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.” He says in verses 31 and 35, “My delights were with the sons of men. . . . Whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord. But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate Me love death.”
The Lord Jesus loved you enough to leave the glory of heaven and come to earth to die for you. He wants to forgive your sins and lead you safely to heaven. Will you trust Him as your Saviour and Leader?
ML-07/04/2004