Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"Shattering Illusions"
March 10, 2017
(Jesus said) "The Son of Man must suffer many things ..." (Luke 9:22a, ESV).
Read Luke 9:18-22
Jesus' disciples have heard His powerful words and seen many mighty miracles. They believe He is the promised Messiah. But as soon as Peter makes his great confession, Jesus sternly commands the 12 disciples to keep the news to themselves. The Jewish crowds have the wrong idea about the Messiah; they think He will be a great king, driving out the Romans and establishing an earthly kingdom. Even the disciples are swept up in this dream. Now Jesus begins shattering that illusion and teaching them that He came to save the world through His death and resurrection.
Jesus is fully aware of all the horrendous things He will suffer in Jerusalem, but He also knows the disciples are not ready for all the gory facts. So He draws a veil over the details and simply says, "The Son of Man must suffer many things."
But the disciples need to know who will cause His great suffering. So Jesus teaches them that the leaders of His own people-the Jewish high court-will carefully examine Him and reject Him as their Messiah. They will kill Him through an act of judicial murder. But Jesus' revelation to the disciples doesn't end with His death. He clearly states that on the third day after His death He will be raised.
At Christmas when you look at the Baby dozing in Bethlehem's manger, this may not be the life you would picture for Him, but it is exactly what God had planned for Him since the very beginning.
THE PRAYER: Almighty God, Jesus was careful to shield His disciples from all the horrors He knew He would suffer to save us from our sins. Remind me that You know every detail of my future and give me confidence You will make all thing work together for my good. For Jesus' sake I pray. Amen
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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