Jesus Predicts His Death
January 2, 2023
Commentary
Peter and the other disciples had paid a high price by leaving their homes and jobs to follow Jesus (v. 28). But Jesus reminded Peter that following him has its benefits as well as its sacrifices. They had begun to pay the price of following Jesus and He said they would be rewarded (vv. 29-30). Even though they had left their parents, brothers, sisters, wives and children to follow Him, they would be rewarded many times over in this life and in the life to come. In other words, he was telling them not to dwell on what they had given up, but to think about what they had gained and to give thanks for it. We can never out give God.
The disciples had begun to pay the price for following Jesus and He said they would be rewarded. Any believer who has had to give up something to follow Christ will be paid back in this life as well as in the next. Gathering the twelve disciples around Him, Jesus began to make some predictions about what would happen to Him as they traveled up to Jerusalem (vv. 31-34). The disciples apparently didn’t understand Jesus, because they focused on what he said about His death and ignored what He said about His resurrection. Even though Jesus spoke plainly, they would not grasp the significance of His words until they saw the risen Christ face to face.
Application
Have I honestly and objectively taken my goals before the Lord for His approval? Do my goals feed my ego more than they honor the Lord? Would I be willing to change my goals if God were to show me that I should?
Luke 18:28– 34 (NET)
28 And Peter said, “Look, we have left everything we own to follow you! 29 Then Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of God’s kingdom 30 who will not receive many times more in this age —and in the age to come, eternal life.”
31 Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; he will be mocked, mistreated, and spat on. 33 They will flog him severely and kill him. Yet on the third day he will rise again.” 34 But the twelve understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what Jesus meant.
Illustration: Russian Christians asked to Renounce Their Faith
Back when communism reigned in Russia, stories from the underground church would surface from time to time. On one particular Sunday, a group of believers gathered for worship. They arrived throughout the day so as to not arouse suspicion by KGB informants. By dark, they were all inside, windows closed, doors locked. They began by singing a hymn quietly, when suddenly the door was pushed open and in walked two solders with automatic weapons, demanding that they all line up on the wall. One shouted, “If you wish to renounce your commitment to Jesus Christ, leave now!” Two or three left quickly. After a few more seconds, two more. Finally, a couple more slipped out into the blackness of the night. After a few moments of complete silence, the soldiers closed and locked the door. They said, “Keep your hands up in praise to God. We too are Christians and we have learned to not trust anyone who is not willing to die for their faith.” (Source Unknown).