03/31/2021 AN APPOINTED TIME
John 7:30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.
Matthew 26:18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near, I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as JESUS had directed them and prepared the Passover.
[New International Translation] (See also, Luke 22:10-11; Mark 14:13-14)
Summary
John 7:30 and Matthew 26:18 illustrate the fact that JESUS’ death on the cross was part of the GOD’s Divine plan. It was not something that was accidental, unplanned or that just happened. Just as JESUS’ birth was foretold and predicted, so was HIS death. It was preordained. As the passage from John 7:30 shows, even those who wanted to do HIM harm, could not, unless GOD willed it to be so. No one could touch HIM, until HIS appointed time. In Matthew 26:18, Jesus states that HIS “appointed time is near.” In other words, HE knew what would happen. He knew what HE would endure. HE knew and still chose to do the FATHER’s WILL. HIS life was not taken; but rather, HE gave up HIS life freely, in obedience to the FATHER and out of love (See John 3:16) for all of us. JESUS kept an appointment on a cross---just for you and for me.
Romans 5:6 put it this way:
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [New Living Translation]
MINDFUL/MEDITATION WALKING
Many people believe that meditation or mindfulness involves sitting or being still. In “The Basics of Walking Meditation,” WebMD describes the benefits of meditating or practicing mindfulness while walking.
According to WebMD, a walking meditation involves paying attention to your body’s movements, your surroundings, and your feelings and thoughts. According to WebMD, practicing mindfulness can:
- Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Improve focus – by focusing your attention on a single thing.
- Improve memory – allowing your short-term memory to work without interruption from intrusive thoughts.
- Improve emotional regulation- training your mind to focus your attention on positive emotions rather than negative emotions.
WebMD notes that a walking meditation may be changed to suit a person’s individual needs but states that a traditional form of walking meditation usually involves slow, purposeful steps in a small space.
WebMD suggests the following steps:
- Find a quiet space – indoors or outdoors about 25 feet long or 10-15 steps.
- Relax – be aware of your body and posture, including:
- Standing up straight- without stiffening your back.
- Relax your shoulders.
- Distribute your weight evenly over your feet.
- Clasp your hands behind, in front of you, or let them hang by your sides.
- Relax your gaze and drop slightly.
- Breathe through your diaphragm.