We trust Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary. We rejoice that He rose from the grave. These events bring us into His presence and into a thriving relationship with Him.
But He did more during His 33 years on Earth than just become the sacrifice for our sins. His life, though short by our standards, was filled with experiences that make Him familiar with the paths we often trod.
Follow Him through the book of Matthew.
In chapter one, He leaves heaven and comes to Earth.
In chapter two, He is born in Bethlehem, then moves to Eygpt.
Chapter three finds Him in the wilderness of Judaea being baptized by John.
In chapter four, the Spirit leads Him into the wilderness, and then along the coast of Galilee.
Chapter five, He heads to the mountains to escape the crowds.
Eight, He ministers in the town of Capernaum, then takes a ship across the sea.
In chapter nine, He boards another vessel to return to His hometown, and ministers in villages.
He ministers in various cities in chapter eleven.
In chapter twelve, He goes through the corn.
Chapter thirteen finds Him sitting by the sea shore.
Chapter fourteen, He goes to a desert place, then walks on the water.
Chapter fifteen, He goes to Jerusalem, then to the sea, then to a mountain.
In chapter seventeen, He leads Peter, James, and John to an even higher mountain.
In chapter nineteen He crosses the Jordan River.
In chapter twenty-one, He visits the Mount of Olives, then throws the moneychangers out of the temple.
In chapter twenty-six we find Him back in Bethany, at the home of a friend, then to a special place for the Passover, then on to Gethsemane.
He's in court before Pilate in chapter twenty-seven. He is led to Calvary, then buried in the sepulchre.
But chapter twenty-eight finds Him back in Galilee and on yet another mountain!
And then, for the benefit of any one who still thinks he walks alone, Jesus closes Matthew's account with the promise "I am with you always. Even unto the end of the world."
No matter where you've been or where you are going, He's already there. You'll travel no new roads. He's already been there.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
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