Mark 8:31-32 NLT
Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. 32 As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.
Two weeks from today is what we call “Good Friday”. What is good about it?
It is the day that we remember how Jesus was taken to and died on the cross. It was meant for the worst of criminals and not a perfect Savior, yet God let Jesus be placed there.
Jesus willing went to the cross, laid down His life and had your wrongs and mine put on Him. All this for a purpose.
But that is two weeks from now. Take a minute today and think the thoughts that maybe the disciples thought. Jesus said He would have to die. He would not be with them much longer. He was sent for this purpose.
Peter even told Jesus to stop talking like that. We as humans don’t get the gravity and the importance of the spiritual things unless we listen and learn. So what did Jesus say?
John 12:32 NLT
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
The cross was coming. The destiny of His life was only days away, and this happening would cause lots of things to happen.
Matthew 20:26-28 NLT
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
This is what a servant looks like. Jesus even told the disciples what was going to happen. They didn’t understand, but they were, and we are, to follow the example Jesus set.
John 13:33 NLT
Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going.
That is a tough verse but needed. If we are looking for a king that will rule like the others … if we are looking for someone who is going to fill our bank accounts or restock our groceries … if we are expecting to have it easy … we are looking in the wrong direction.
Two weeks from now we will think about and remember the cross and it’s vital place in our lives. Others need to know. So, lets think about the cross as we listen and learn from Jesus. Let’s follow His example.
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