SATURDAY April 15, 2017

A Day of Anticipation

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. - Mark 8:31-32

There was a divine time for Jesus to die on the cross. He had so clearly spoken about His death and resurrection to His disciples but they were not paying attention. Why? Their mindset was on themselves, they were more concerned about who would be the greatest (Mark 9:33-37).

The disciples expected that once Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, He would clear out the Romans, set up His kingdom and they were going to rule and reign with Him. They were not thinking about His death and resurrection, so Jesus had to teach them. On one occasion Peter took Jesus aside and reprimanded Him. The Lord had to firmly rebuke Peter––he was not mindful of the things of God but of men (Mark 8:32-33).

Jesus, after His transfiguration, had commanded Peter, James and John: “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” (Matthew 17:9). When the disciples had stayed in Galilee,Jesus toldthem: “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.”Then the disciples became very sorrowful (Matthew 17:23).

As Jesus and His disciples went up to Jerusalem, He had once again predicted His death and resurrection:

“… 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 to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” - (Matthew 20:18-19).

After Jesus was arrested, condemned to death and crucified, the disciples should have had a day of anticipation––awaiting His resurrection but they were full of sorrow instead. Death brings much sorrow––but we have hope in the Resurrection!

“After three days I will rise.”
~Mathew 27:63~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!