Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Luke 9:18-22.
TEXT: The Son of Man must suffer many things
(see Luke 9:22).

Jesus' disciples have heard His powerful words and
seen many mighty miracles.They believe He is the
promised Messiah. But as soon as Peter makes
his great confession, Jesus sternly commands the
12 disciples to keep the news to themselves. The
Jewish crowds have the wrong idea about the
Messiah; they think He will be a great king driving
out the Romans and establishing an earthly
kingdom. Even the disciples are swept up in this
dream. Now Jesus begins shattering that illusion
and teaching them that He came to save the world
through His death and resurrection.

Jesus is fully aware of all the horrendous things He
will suffer in Jerusalem, but He also knows the
disciples are not ready for all the gory facts. So He
draws a veil over the details and simply says, "The
Son of Man must suffer many things."

But the disciples need to know who will cause His
great suffering. So Jesus teaches them that the
leaders of His own people-the Jewish high court-will
carefully examine Him and reject Him as their
Messiah. They will kill Him through an act of judicial
murder. But Jesus' revelation to the disciples doesn't
end with His death. He clearly states that on the
third day after His death He will be raised.

At Christmas when you look at the Baby dozing in
Bethlehem's manger, this may not be the life you
would picture for Him, but it is exactly what God
had planned for Him since the very beginning.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Jesus was careful to shield His
disciples from all the horrors He knew He would suffer
to save us from our sins. Remind me that You know
every detail of my future, and give me confidence You
will make all things work together for my good. For
Jesus' sake I pray. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)