A few years ago, a friend of mine got me into cycling. What started as a 10-12 mile ride turned into 25 miles, 30 miles, and before you know it I was encouraged to do a 60-mile race. I remember wanting to give up several times on that route. At about mile 45, my friend could see my dilemma and encouraged me to keep going. He even had me talk about other things to get my mind off the struggle. Before I knew it, I was coasting (and running on fumes) at the 60-mile marker and finish line to cheers of encouragers. I felt like I won the Tour de France.
Jesus is aware of the struggle of His companions on this ministry trek. On their part, there is a failure to see ‘what is about to come.’ Jesus uses a seed of grain to cast a big picture of hope and sets their gaze ahead, not behind.
