17 As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the road He said to them, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be [ l ] handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and flog and crucify, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

Matthew 20:17-19 (NASB)

Backdrop

The parable Jesus just shared explained the contra-intuitive Kingdom principle of last shall be first. In the kingdom of God, grace – according to God’s plan – is the rule. God decides and elects (Ephesians 1:4). We give thanks for His grace and share the good news with whoever God leads us to. 

Now He starts on the road to Jerusalem. “Even if Jesus had not specifically told them, their movement south from Galilee at about the time of the Passover feast made it easy to figure out that Jesus and the disciples would be in Jerusalem for Passover.” (enduringword.com) Metaphorically, He’s been on this road from birth – for He came into this world to suffer and die for us (1 Timothy 1:15).

Foretelling His fate

Knowing what is in store for Him, Jesus clearly tells His disciples His fate – privately. He will be taken captive by the Jewish religious leaders, condemned to death, then handed over to the gentile rulers of Jerusalem to be killed. They will also mock Him and flog (whip) Him. But, He will arise from the dead. 

Facing fate like flint

What catches your attention in this passage? For me, it’s the fact that Jesus knew His fate, the most terrible suffering (physical, emotional and spiritual) that could be suffered, yet He pressed on. He, “set his face like flint”, which is a, “figure of speech the prophet [Isaiah] uses to describe the Messiah’s unwavering determination to persevere in the excruciating task set before Him.” (gotquestions.org)

What makes it more impressive? He didn’t need to do it. Jesus was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He didn’t even need to die! Yet, with pleasing the Father by accomplishing His will foremost in His mind, Jesus, our Lord, submitted Himself to this most unbearable self-sacrifice. And it was for my benefit, for your benefit, for the benefit of all mankind. How can we say thank you?

RЯeflection

• When was the last time you thought about Jesus’ sacrifice for you? Are we motivated to go and tell others that God has put in our path? 
• If you haven’t ever considered Jesus’ sacrifice for you, for your sin, click here.