24.158 | JESUS’ SACRIFICE REVEALED | Mark 9:30-32 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 9:30-32 (ESV)

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

JESUS’ SACRIFICE REVEALED

Jesus and His apostles slipped from the crowd through Galilee. Nobody knows where they were. What Jesus shows here is that it's okay, and often essential, to take a break from active ministry in order to grow personally. Just as He takes time to pray (see Mark 1:35; 6:46; 14:32–39), we need to set aside time to learn, rest, and allow God to renew our relationship with Him.

In this secluded place, Jesus, once again, taught them about His future, saying, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” The word "delivered" is from the Greek root word ‘paradidomi’ and means to give up. This shows the "deliverer" has power, and "the delivered" does not agree with what is happening. Bible interpreters, therefore, translate the word as "betray" which Judas did.

It's important to realize that it isn't the Jews who crucified Jesus. It's traditional religious leaders, governments, soldiers, and common people—really it is every person who ever sinned, including every human alive today, who is responsible for Jesus being crucified. Perhaps even more astounding, it is Jesus Himself. He willingly submitted to crucifixion so that all who put their faith in Him could be saved from our sins.

But they did not understand the saying of Jesus, and were afraid to ask Him. In Matthew’s account the disciples are "greatly distressed."[Mat 17:23] This word "distressed" is from the Greek root word lupeo which means grieved or offended. It's natural to become distressed when we don't understand what's going on. What is less justifiable in their minds is how they watched Jesus heal, expel demons, calm the sea (see Mark 4:37–39), and walk on water (Mark 6:48). They did not understand what He meant by being killed and raised after three days. They are still caught up in their expectations of what the Messiah ought to do and be. How can the liberator of Israel die?

Similarly, there are truths revealed in the Scriptures that are hard for us to chew upon. The truth that God is working for good during our sufferings and lack is not readily acceptable by many of us, is it not?

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