On Line Bible Study - For the Week June 13-19, 2011
Lesson 497
Luke 18: 31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33 they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Does it matter where things happen? A match carelessly tossed into a field of dry grass has a much different effect than one tossed into a stream of water. Jesus is going to Jerusalem, and that's not just an insignificant detail; it is a prophetically prescribed destination.
Does it matter if you know ahead of time what is in store for you? Perhaps you have heard yourself say: If I had known then what I know now I would have done things differently! Jesus doesn't go to Jerusalem unaware of what is going to happen. It's not as if, once it is over, he is going to say: If only I had known ...
The disciples do not understand. The disciples were probably aware that Jesus was in danger; what they don't understand is how this could ever be 'God's will'. The promise of the resurrection doesn't seem to make the situation any easier for Jesus - the pain and humility will be every bit as real. It doesn't make it any easier for Jesus' friends, either. Luke states it three times in one verse: they don't understand; the meaning is hidden; they don't know.
Does it matter if you know ahead of time what is in store for you? Perhaps you have heard yourself say: If I had known then what I know now I would have done things differently! Jesus doesn't go to Jerusalem unaware of what is going to happen. It's not as if, once it is over, he is going to say: If only I had known ...
The disciples do not understand. The disciples were probably aware that Jesus was in danger; what they don't understand is how this could ever be 'God's will'. The promise of the resurrection doesn't seem to make the situation any easier for Jesus - the pain and humility will be every bit as real. It doesn't make it any easier for Jesus' friends, either. Luke states it three times in one verse: they don't understand; the meaning is hidden; they don't know.
I'm not sure if I understand, either. But this much I get - there is no further need to offer sacrifices to any god, real or imagined, in order to appease divine anger or satisfy divine justice. If it was ever needed, it's not needed any more. You are forgiven, whether you think you need to be or not. You are loved, whether you know it or not. If Jesus has physically risen from the dead but you still live under the pall of guilt or in the shadows of fear, then you don't get it.
You are loved and forgiven. I may not comprehend the intricacies of divine plans and purposes; but I'm forgiven, and I'm loved, and so are you.
You are loved and forgiven. I may not comprehend the intricacies of divine plans and purposes; but I'm forgiven, and I'm loved, and so are you.
posted by Mark D at 6:55 AM
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