Mark 10:32-34 — On the Road Again

Mark 10:32-34

And they were on the road; going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

Comments:

Rouault's "Crucifixion"

This is an amazing passage. Here we see Jesus on the road headed for Jerusalem. He knew that when he got there he will be rejected, falsely accused, tortured, and killed, but his love for us urged him onward. He was totally focused on the mission God had given him to complete. The disciples didn't want to go…

• They were afraid.
• They knew that the Jews wanted to kill Jesus and they were concerned for their own lives as well as for Jesus.
• They were amazed that Jesus was returning to Jerusalem.
• They were amazed at His courage for He was going up before them. He was leading the patrol into enemy territory. 

This is the third time in the book of Mark that Jesus specifically taught his disciples about his coming death and resurrection. Despite their fear and wonder, Jesus took this opportunity to tell them one more time that he was going to die. 

How amazing it is to me that Jesus went with such resolve while knowing in advance

Looking towards Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus

(in graphic detail) what would happen to him. I might have thought seriously about pitching humanity once and for all! Yet the incarnation, which we celebrate at Christmas, means that Jesus has assumed our humanity not only our sins. For all eternity the Son of God has a body! He will never be separated from those he came to save. This was no “drive-through” atonement, but a long-term incarnational taking upon himself of all our pain, hurt, loss, selfishness, and rebellion. Because he is one of us, he understands us completely in order to represent us flawlessly.

v. 33b,34 "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."

Oh, how the disciples must have been revolted by hearing how people would treat their master. I wonder if they muttered under their breath, “Oh he is not going there!” Yet Jesus told them ahead of time to comfort them when it happened. When in the depths of despair and loss after his death they could look back and remember that Jesus had known all along what would happen. To realize that he gave himself willingly, unhesitatingly, knowingly for them, and for us!

Lord, please help me to know what it is that you have called me to specifically, and help me to face that future with the grace and the courageously firm resolve which you displayed so long ago! Yet, let me not be a grim companion but joyful in the journey! Amen.