Title: JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:32-34
“Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

Main idea: Consider the Cost of Being a Servant of God

Prophetic outline of what Jesus told about His death

• “We are going up to Jerusalem” (Mark 11:1—13:37).
• “The Son of Man will be betrayed” (Mark 14:1, 2, 43–53).
• “They will condemn Him to death” (Mark 14:55–65).
• “Deliver Him to the Gentiles” (Mark 15:1).
• “They will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him” (Mark 15:2–38).
• “Third day He will rise again” (Mark 16:1–11).

“Going up to Jerusalem”
Three times Jesus foretold the things that were to happen to him in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem was God’s temple! When in connection with the feasts pilgrims were going there to worship, which included the bringing of an offering. “Going up to Jerusalem” (John 2:13; 5:1; 11:55; Acts 11:2; 25:1, 9; Gal 2:1) must be understood as having reference not only to physical ascent, Jerusalem being situated on higher elevation, so that from whatever side one approaches it, that approach is always an ascent. But there is a great spiritual significance in it, that is, it must be interpreted as a matter not just pertaining to the feet (Ps. 122:2), but also—in fact especially—to the heart (Psalms 84:5). Jesus, too, is now “going up to Jerusalem,” to bring Himself as an offering for “the sin of the world.” He is going to lay down his life (John 10:11, 15).

“and kill Him”
Jesus has told his disciples that he must die. He “gives his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The term ransom (lytron) was used for compensation, for purchasing the freedom of an enslaved relative (Lev 25:51 – 52), and for the price paid as an equivalent for the sacrifice of the firstborn (Num 18:15). The concept of ransom, therefore, is connected to the idea of cost, substitution, and atonement (Isaiah 53:10-12). Jesus asked his disciples earlier, “What can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:37). The psalmist says that no ransom avails for one’s life (Psalms 49:7-9). This text affirms that Jesus pays a price for others that they cannot pay themselves. The effects of Jesus’ sacrifice extend to all who will accept it. Having been ransomed by Christ, we belong entirely to him.

“And the third day He will rise again”
The death of the Messiah will not be the end of the story, for he will be raised by the Father on the third day. On that resurrection Sunday, the Father raised Jesus from the dead. This, Paul says, is “the gospel of God,” that “through the Spirit of holiness [he] was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1:4). The Gospels include Jesus’ predictions of his betrayal, death and resurrection to show that these events were God’s plan from the beginning and not accidents.

Application
Jesus’ death is not a tragic accident or a martyrdom, but a supreme act of sacrifice for all humankind. Jesus has paid with his life the infinite debt owed by humankind. He has delivered us from our captivity to sin. Paul writes to Corinthians: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Cor 6:19-20). God has a plan for your life crafted to the last detail, the last beat of your heart. He was sent to serve. He sends us to serve. Be faithful to Him until your last breath.

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father,  Jesus paid in full and we cannot add anything into it. Thank you for the free gift of salvation. In Jesus Name Amen.