Bible Study Lesson: Matthew 20:17-19
Christ performed many miracles in the Bible and these are certainly a big part of his ministry.
But, He also had the ability to predict what is yet to come. Jesus tells the future here as we find in the last days leading up to His famous trip to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
For the Third Time Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” – Matthew 20:17-19 NASB
Predicting the Future – After It Happens
Can we predict the future? Sure we can, the moment it becomes the past.
It’s easy for us to look back at the Easter story and discern exactly how it will turn out.
We’ve heard these Bible verses since we were children so there is no doubt that Christ will be crucified, he will die on the cross, and on the third day He will rise again.
But, Jesus told this story three times before it happened!
Why Didn’t the Disciples “Get It” ?
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”1400318270″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/41d92EpP01L.SL160.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”114″]We have the knowledge of hindsight which gives us the complete story of Jesus but the disciples were only experiencing the “here and now“.
They did not understand that Christ had to die in order to bring others to His kingdom in heaven.
So, the disciples argued who would be the greatest and who would receive the most power in Christ’s kingdom, not suspecting that their reward would not be of this earth.
Understanding the Resurrection
After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples would come to understand what we already know ..
– Christ lived
– Christ died
– Christ rose again on the third day in order to take on the sins of people – including you and I.
Isn’t God Awesome?
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about receiving the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to see the first steps.