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155. Another Warning

Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43-45
Key Verse: He said to them, "The son of man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise."
Mark 9:31B

As a father, I think that I may have a little understanding of what is going on here. Kathy and I often found it helpful when our children were young, to prepare them in advance for upcoming events, especially if that event means an unwelcome change in their present activity or situation. "We will be leaving in ten minutes." Or, "Bedtime is in fifteen minutes so begin to prepare." Often, we would give a second warning closer to the actual time mentioned to reinforce our original warning. Most importantly, we would follow through and do what we had prepared them for.

A few days ago, Jesus first began talking to His disciples about what would happen in His future. Peter was shocked and told Jesus that He was wrong; a statement that earned Jesus' rebuke.

Jesus restates His future today. He states it plainly, and this time, the disciples listen. Matthew says that, "they were filled with grief." (Matt. 17:23) Mark and Luke state that the disciples were still a bit in the dark. They may have been sad at what Jesus' was foretelling, but they didn't really understand it fully. How could they? Jesus was so good! How could He be treated so badly?

These warnings from Jesus were a kindness really. He knew how hard what He was about to go through, would be for His disciples. In love, He did also prepare them for the resurrection, but, none of it must have made sense to them. It probably wouldn't have made sense to us either.

Joseph being sold into slavery made no sense. (Genesis 37-45) The setbacks Moses experienced on God's mission must have been befuddling. (Exodus 3-11) Hosea being asked to marry a prostitute had to have been humiliating. (Hosea 1) And, David must have really wondered if God was really going to give him the kingdom with all of the hardships and discouragements that he endured while on his way to receiving to the throne. (1 Samuel 16-2 Samuel 5)
God does not usually give us the whole map to our lives all at once. We learn to trust Him and walk by faith through what we do not understand. The disciples did not understand that Jesus was actually reassuring them that there would be a good outcome. They only focused on the suffering of the immediate future. But God is faithful. Just hold on and trust.

“But now, this is what the Lord says He who created you, He who formed you, "fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your savior."
Isaiah 43:1-3

This must be our assurance as well.

“Great is They Faithfulness”

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