TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” Mark 10:33-34
Read: Mark 10:32–34
Listen: Mark 10
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus makes his final trek to Jerusalem (a location to underline in your journal). He knows death awaits him there and warns his disciples again. Jesus holds nothing back in this third prediction of his death. He outlines in detail his betrayal, humiliation, torture and brutal death. No one expects the Messiah to die, and certainly not by shameful, public execution. This couldn’t have been the plan when the angels sang about peace on earth at his birth (Luke 2:14).
Yet, this was the plan from the beginning. Jesus comes to earth as a baby to humbly die as a perfect, sinless man. His death leads to true life. Jesus points his followers to the resurrection power. Death itself will die. The curse of sin will be reversed.
We feel the heaviness of death, maybe more this season than ever before. Jesus invites us to look at his resurrection power. The same power that raises Jesus from the dead is at work in all who believe in him (Romans 8:11). Jesus is the source of our life and hope. He provides a preview of God’s kingdom, where death is defeated once and for all. This is the day we hope and long for.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
At Jesus’ birth, angels proclaim this good news will bring great joy to all people (Luke 2:10). On page 99 of your journal, list things you learned about Jesus through The Company of Christ that bring you great joy. If you carry heaviness and hurt this season and need someone to talk to, please email us at btw@adabible.org. We would love to pray with you and offer hope through Christ.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
