Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
13. Jesus Speaks a Third Time about His Death and Resurrection (Mark 10:32-34)
MARK 10:32-34
32 They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him. 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
Jesus knew his plan, for which he came to the world, that is substitutional death for his disciples and for all men. He saw that his commandments and promises did not change them, but they remained proud, hardhearted, and unloving. Therefore, he wanted to reconcile them to God through his death as the slain Lamb of God, that the Lord’s Spirit might dwell in those who were justified, and renew, change, and sanctify them completely.
For this purpose, Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem, the place of his death. He did not flee, nor was he afraid. But his followers were extremely frightened, knowing that the highest court of the Jews, and the lawyers, spied on Jesus, and watched him constantly to trick him with some sort of an error. They laid on him and his disciples the curse of deprivation. Those who helped them or joined them were deprived of the nation’s fellowship and rights.
However, Jesus proceeded deliberately to the dwelling place of the lions, knowing that there was no way to redeem the world except by the cross. He prepared his twelve disciples carefully for the imminent events, for he had perfect foresight not only of his own death, but of all the aggravating circumstances surrounding it; and yet he went forth to meet it.
Do you recognize the greatness of Jesus in his prophecy about his own life and death? He foresaw clearly the kind of end that awaited him. Nevertheless, he proceeded to his enemies, and taught his disciples about the events to come that they might take their own decisions. He was obedient even to death, and was born to die for us. The love of God appears completely in the midst of the completion of men’s revolution against the Lord. He bore their impurities and diseases upon his shoulders, but they hit him, spat in the face of his love, scourged his thin body, and hanged him on the infamous and accursed tree, that he might die slowly by the weight of his body. They mocked him who was crucified, wishing to hear him blaspheme against God and disobey him, but he bore our troubles and sufferings with much patience, prayed for us on the cross, and forgave the sins of those who nailed him on the cross. He did not lose hope in God’s forsaking from him, but drank the cup of the Lord’s fury even to the end, and committed himself into his Father’s hands, though God had hidden his face from him. In the midst of the flame of God’s wrath, Jesus believed in eternity and his resurrection from the dead, gaining a great victory in the end.
Jesus believed in a revelation given to him by his Father in the Holy Spirit, and he immediately proceeded to Jerusalem. Do you trust the word of God, and act accordingly? Your life may be filled with troubles, temptations, darkness, and even fears. But be aware that Christ bore being forsaken by God in our place that we, who are far away from God, might experience the nearness of the Eternal One at all times. Trust your heavenly Father completely and you will overcome your troubles through faith, approach your problems confidently in his help, love your enemies, and bless your adversaries. Do not be afraid if you are broken, for the Omniscient Almighty Lord is with you.
PRAYER: We worship you our Lord Jesus, for you did not flee from your suffering and death, already known to you. You proceeded to your cross for us, and suffered pain, strokes, spitting, and scourges for our justification. We thank you for your love, and commit ourselves to you. Accept us unworthy as we are. Purify us, and fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may no longer live for ourselves, but for you alone, with your power working in our weakness. Help those who are bound to their sins that they may leave their haughtiness entirely, and adorn themselves with your upright love. Amen.
QUESTION:
- Why did Jesus go ahead of his disciples to Jerusalem?