Day 37: Jesus predicts His death a third time
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry walks toward his death. The evil Voldemort has demanded Harry come and face him, or Voldemort will kill all Harry’s friends. So, Harry walks to the Forbidden Forest where Voldemort is waiting. In our passage today, Jesus walks deliberately toward His death as well. But instead of the Forbidden Forest, He’s going to Jerusalem.
Where was Jesus leading His disciples toward (v. 32)?
How did the disciples feel about Jesus’ choice to go to Jerusalem (v. 32)?
How did the others who were following Jesus feel (v. 32)?
Jerusalem was the capital city of Judea. People went to Jerusalem to visit the temple where they could worship God with sacrifices and prayer. But Jesus’ disciples know it’s dangerous for Jesus to go to Jerusalem at this point because the religious leaders want to kill Him.
Who does Jesus take aside in verse 32?
Who does Jesus say He will be handed over to in Jerusalem (v. 33)?
What does Jesus say the chief priests and the teachers of the law will do to Him (v. 33)?
To condemn someone to death means to judge that they deserve to be executed. When Jesus says “the Gentiles” here, He means the Romans who were ruling over the Jews at the time.
What four details does Jesus give about what the Romans will do to Him (v. 34)?
Before the Romans crucified people, they often flogged them—which means to beat someone severely with a whip.
How do these details show that Jesus is ready not only to be killed but also to be shamed and humiliated for our sakes?
What does Jesus say will happen three days after He’s been killed (v. 34)?
This is the third time in Mark’s gospel that Jesus has predicted His death and resurrection. But this time, He’s on His way to Jerusalem and preparing His disciples in detail for what’s going to happen to Him.
What does Jesus’ ability to predict exactly what’s going to happen to Him show us about His control?
How do you think you would have felt if you had been one of Jesus’ first disciples hearing this?
As we’ll see in our study tomorrow, Jesus’ disciples still didn’t understand what Jesus was saying to them and that His kingdom was all upside down. It’s really hard for us to grasp that too!
Thank Jesus that He was willing to go to Jerusalem to be mocked and spat on and beaten up and killed for you. Praise Him that He rose again and beat death, so that you can live with Him forever.