As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
Key Thought
Sometimes it takes us multiple times to get it. All throughout this section of his ministry, Jesus gives indications about his death in Jerusalem; this is the fourth prediction he makes to his twelve key followers. He tells them this about his death privately because the focus of his ministry toward the end of his life was with the disciples.
Jesus’ words are chillingly accurate. Jesus’ words are about horrible and ugly events. Jesus’ words are his destiny, God’s will for his life and death. But most of all, Jesus’ words are about us and God’s great redemptive love for us.
Today’s Prayer
Holy and righteous King of Glory, thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus. His death was horrible. His knowledge of its coming was undoubtedly an added horror. Thank you Jesus for laying down your life for us, for me. You are worthy of all thanks and praise for enduring the cross and all it means so that I could be saved. Thank you. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Matthew 16:21-23Matthew 17:10-12Matthew 17:22-23Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.