June 24

Text: Matthew 20:17-19

And 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 deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up." (NASB)

“I do not want to hear it!”  It is amazing how we can refuse to listen to what we do not wish to hear!  It happens far more often than most of us realize.

The 12 refused to hear Jesus when he disclosed his coming death.  (Remember Matthew 16:21, 22?)  Jesus’ death did not fit their plans or meet their expectations.  How could he be Israel’s king if he died—even if he was raised?  We know; they did not.  Wonder what their concept of resurrection was? 

Jesus was headed to Jerusalem.  He had a private conversation with them—a “heart to heart.”  He knew they had not heard him.  (Wonder if they refused to listen?)  They were woefully unprepared for what would happen whether they wanted it or not.  Jesus was determined to make another effort to inform them.  If they were unprepared for his death and resurrection, it was not for Jesus’ lack of trying to inform them.  It is true that people usually hear what they want to hear.

It was evident by the 11’s reactions after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection that they did not think these would happen.  They struggled to make sense of events after the crucifixion but before Acts 2.  Things did not “come together” for almost two months!  On Pentecost they finally understood!  When Jesus died, their dream was over.  When Jesus died, God’s dream was reality.  God’s intents are always superior to our dreams!

Suggestion for reflection: Do you see the superiority of God’s intents?  (Read Colossians 1:15-23.)