Things Are Going to Heat Up!
And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” Mark 10:32-34
From every direction, you have to travel uphill to get to Jerusalem. Notice the detail that Jesus is walking ahead of them. Mark also clearly states that the disciples following him were uncomfortable; amazed leans toward being unnerved and paired with fear.
For the third time, Jesus pulls the twelve aside and tells them in detail that he is heading toward death. In Jerusalem, he will be betrayed and handed over to the Jewish religious leaders, who will hand him over to Rome. He will be mocked, spit on, flogged, and killed. And on the third day, he will rise. This indeed is a very detailed sequence for what will actually happen.
Do you feel drama building as we climb?
A month from now, we will be in the midst of Holy Week. Let this be a reminder of the Lenten season, and the Reason for that season!
Lord Jesus,
I don’t think we would appreciate what you did to save us if it was achieved by fire and brimstone raining down from Heaven. I think the passion makes your sacrifice so profoundly human even though you are God!
I pray in the name of the Lamb. Amen!
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