Word@Work 119 - Mark 10:32-34
Published: Thu, 05/08/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 10:32-34 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." (NIV)
Jesus had already twice announced His forthcoming crucifixion (cf Mark 8:31, 9:30-31). So why was Jesus now going to Jerusalem - marching into the jaws of death? The disciples were astonished at this apparently fool-hard journey; the group who travelled with them were afraid. As always, Jesus spells out the truth ... but this time gives the precise details of His suffering to come, and also the triumph of His rising again.
Using eight future verbs, Jesus gives (literally) a blow by blow account of what would happen. He did not want fuzzy thinking to sanitize what would be a horrific experience. Unlike us, who like to numb the suffering, Jesus was clear before any of it happened, that He would take it all, full strength (and when the time came, he even refused the drugged wine vinegar). It was necessary for the purpose of the disciples' salvation, and ours. And it was essential that we should all understand that Jesus knew the full details of what would happen before it did, He was in control; it was all in the plan ... and that is why He led the way into the fury that would engulf Him. It was no accident!
Perhaps this might encourage us to pause in our busy lives. If we belong to Christ, it is only because we have benefited from such a great sacrifice. The disciples needed to be prepared for His intentional death; and we need to be prepared to proclaim it, intentionally! Both can bring astonishment and fear. But the outcome is the salvation of souls to the glory of God!
Prayer: Father God. Thank you that the Lord Jesus was active in moving towards His sacrificial death. Help me to be active in moving the gospel message among my colleagues, friends and family - irrespective of the hostility I may encounter. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Jesus had already twice announced His forthcoming crucifixion (cf Mark 8:31, 9:30-31). So why was Jesus now going to Jerusalem - marching into the jaws of death? The disciples were astonished at this apparently fool-hard journey; the group who travelled with them were afraid. As always, Jesus spells out the truth ... but this time gives the precise details of His suffering to come, and also the triumph of His rising again.
Using eight future verbs, Jesus gives (literally) a blow by blow account of what would happen. He did not want fuzzy thinking to sanitize what would be a horrific experience. Unlike us, who like to numb the suffering, Jesus was clear before any of it happened, that He would take it all, full strength (and when the time came, he even refused the drugged wine vinegar). It was necessary for the purpose of the disciples' salvation, and ours. And it was essential that we should all understand that Jesus knew the full details of what would happen before it did, He was in control; it was all in the plan ... and that is why He led the way into the fury that would engulf Him. It was no accident!
Perhaps this might encourage us to pause in our busy lives. If we belong to Christ, it is only because we have benefited from such a great sacrifice. The disciples needed to be prepared for His intentional death; and we need to be prepared to proclaim it, intentionally! Both can bring astonishment and fear. But the outcome is the salvation of souls to the glory of God!
Prayer: Father God. Thank you that the Lord Jesus was active in moving towards His sacrificial death. Help me to be active in moving the gospel message among my colleagues, friends and family - irrespective of the hostility I may encounter. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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