Matthew 17:22–23 (ESV) —
22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.
NOTE: After Peter's last misstep, no one wants to try the "let's be positive" angle. Besides, who wants to be called Satan by their Lord? I say that tongue-in-cheek, but Jesus' response last time probably sobered everyone. He was serious -- Jesus was very serious. So the repetition (all three of the synoptic gospels have this passage as the second time), is taken quite differently. There are a lot of potential reasons for distress. One, the loss of their teacher and friend. Two, the loss of a dream to free Israel from the hand of the oppressor. And three, the potential loss of their own lives for being associated with a person that would be killed. I'm sure they assumed the Romans would be "the hands of men." I wonder if they realized that their own people would be shouting in the crowds, "crucify him" or that the religious leaders were the ones plotting his death. Little did they understand yet, that his death would give them new life, and that his resurrection would give them an exceedingly great hope -- a new sinless body that would never decay. At this point they are greatly distressed. Later they would experience joy unspeakable. We all suffer great distress at times. It is normal and natural. But if we believe God is truly in charge, we know good will come, and we know it can never take away our future or our hope.
PONDER:
- Do I wallow in my pain or do I believe the scriptures that says for a true believer, God will bring about good (Rom 8:28) in my situation? Do I believe God?
PRAYER: Father, thank you for the reminder of your ultimate control. What we see in the world discourages us and grieves us. Yet, nothing is outside of your control or your will. Lord, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Come Lord Jesus, come.
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