Don't Get The Cart Before The Horse

Mark 10:32-37
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

While reading the scriptures this morning I hope that you are reminded of that old phrase... "Don't put the cart before the horse." I can't tell you how many times I have heard this statement. Now I know that it is mostly stated by those with silver hair (or maybe no hair), but it will apply really well today.

By looking at what Jesus was saying in the beginning verses we understand that He was about to fulfill His Father's plan. Jesus told them what was going to happen. He told them very detailed instructions of what would take place in Jerusalem. Then a question came from His disciples. A question that you would have thought was inappropriate and untimely. "Master, we want you to do something for us before you die." said the mother through her sons. (In Matthew, the mother asked) Jesus answered, "What would ye that I should do for you?" "Give us a position in glory", they said.

Now hold up! Jesus had not yet went to the cross for sins and people are already begging for the glory. This is such a selfish attitude, and one that is very familiar with today's Christians. We want pleasure with no pain. We want sunshine with no rain. We want glory with no suffering. We want healing with no healthy living. Well don't put the cart before the horse.

In this world, we will suffer and there will be rain. But it cannot be compared to what our Lord has waiting for us. But don't get in a hurry. This trial today maybe the shouting material that you will need for tomorrows victory. One preacher told me, "Don't throw in the towel during your suffering, cause you're gonna need something to wave when you finally get the victory!" Now that's putting the horse out front!