4/23/10 Mark 10:32-35 Jesus Facing His Destiny

32They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."  (Mark 10:32-35)

(Macedonian Monastery drawing of this passage)

Three times, in three different places, Jesus predicted his death.  But we can go back and see this in the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah 53- the suffering servant who died as a sacrifice for many.  Or we can see this in Simeon's prophecy when Jesus was eight days old in the temple- He said Jesus was "destined to cause the rising and falling of many and a sword will pierce Mary's heart also."  Or in John the Baptist's words, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."  This was a reference to a sacrificial lamb given on behalf of the people. The disciples were astonished and those who followed were afraid.  Isaiah 50:7 talks about his setting his "face like flint" toward his destiny, and this was why the disciples were astonished.  He was boldly going into what he knew was a death trap because he knew this was God's will for Him.  This is what faith can do- it can enable us to overcome our fears and reflexes to do what we know we are called to do. 

Prayer: Today, Lord, let me die to self and set my face like flint toward my own death.