Saturday 3 February 2024
Luke 18:31-34
31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33 they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
I always read this passage from a sombre point of view. True, it’s pretty sobering in detail. But I don’t think Jesus said it with sadness.
In this passage Jesus says resolutely “we’re going to Jerusalem!” In Matthew 20:18 Jesus says the same thing. In Mark 10:32 Jesus is leading the way and the disciples were astonished! It’s like there’s nothing that could contain His excitement! It’s like He couldn’t wait…
Why?! When He was to face such indescribable pain.
Because this was the moment that would rescue me. This is the very moment that would enable Him to hold you in His loving arms and never let go. This was the moment all of Heaven was waiting for – Jesus holding you and I, with Him in eternity. And He could not wait any longer.
Dear Jesus, now I understand the verse “for the joy set before Him He endured the cross” Hebrews 12:2. It was me. I’m your joy! How can I begin to repay such love. I’m in awe! Amen
Written by Boudy Van Noppen