Suffering, Death, and Resurrection
and Resurrection, Arrest, Blog, Chief Priests, Christ, Cross, Crucified, Crucifixion, Death, Die, Disciples, Encouragement, Erik Garthe, Eternal Perspective, Eternal Promises, Followers, Glory, God, Jerusalem, Jesus, Journey, Mocked, No Longer Conformed, Pain, Passover, Paul, Plan, Reassurance, Resurrection, Reward, Sacrifice, Scandal, Scourged, Scribes, Son of Man, Suffering
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On Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem and the cross, Matthew 20:17-19 marks the third time He told His disciples of His coming suffering. He was going there to celebrate the Passover,
and then be the sacrifice. Jesus used the travel time to teach His disciples: i.e. like radio preachers. Some questions occurred to me about this passage of Scripture. First, why the privacy?—“He took the twelve disciples aside.” (v. 17) His closest followers could bear the news, but some of the weaker followers might turn back because crucifixion was a scandal! Some stronger followers might decide to take up arms and cause an uproar. Second, why the prediction?—“The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes.” (v. 18) Jesus knew that suffering was ahead; He wasn’t afraid of it; instead, He was intently focused on it. Paul wrote, “To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) Viewing death from an eternal perspective takes all the power from it. Fear results from the unknown. More details regarding the process are given here than previously: He’ll be mocked and scourged and crucified. Details of coming events can be overwhelming to consider, so the more He spoke of them, the more He anticipated them being accomplished. Third, why the proclamation?—“He will be raised on the third day.” (v. 19) What’s the reason for proclaiming His own resurrection? It was encouragement to Himself: there is reassurance in reciting the plan and being able to look beyond the suffering to the future glory. His reward was sure! Focusing on it helped endure the pain. It was encouragement to His disciples: so that they wouldn’t be overwhelmed to the point of despair when His arrest and crucifixion happened. And it was encouragement to believers today: for hope amidst suffering. Where is your hope, in temporal stuff or in the eternal promises of God?
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
