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“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:44)

After discussing His departure with Moses and Elijah, Jesus dramatically brings peace to a troubled family. A desperate father begs Jesus to cast out a demon from his son. With a growing impatience regarding the faith of those around Him, Jesus casts out the demon.

And the people marveled. They were astonished. Wouldn’t you be? Seeing a young man frothing at the mouth one minute and in his right mind the next? We would marvel, too.

But Jesus has received His mission. The amazement (and adoration) of the crowd will not pull Him from it. Here, He declares for the second time the reality of what awaits Him. After all He will do, demonstrating who He really is, those who should receive Him will reject Him.

“Let these words sink into your ears…”

And yet, we read that His disciples still do not understand – at least not right then. It was somehow concealed from them so that they would travel along this journey with anticipation – and hope that maybe the end did not have to be so dark. As if to say, “Surely, the Master is mistaken? Surely, the leaders will receive Him as the long-awaited Messiah?”

But recognize, that even though they did not understand, they kept listening. They were puzzled, but persevering. Confused, but confident that one day they will understand.

“Let these words sink into your ears…”

How many times have you read the Bible and come away more confused than confident? You close your Bible wondering, “What did that just say? Or, what am I to do with that?”

It may be, for reasons of provision and providence, that the Holy Spirit – who wrote the Bible and knows you best, is concealing something from you because you are not ready for it? Maybe, at your next reading, He will reveal something marvelous or mundane but equally essential for you to hold fast towards the transformation you seek?

Paul writes that even he was “perplexed but not driven to despair”. In short, he did not give up. And neither should you.

As you journey with Jesus, let ALL of His words sink into your ears. Do not let fear stop you from asking Him, “what does this mean?” Do not let His response of “not yet”, dissuade you from seeking to know what He wants for you and from you as you continue in your adventure with Him.

“Let these words sink into your ears…”

Supporting verses: Luke 9:22, 28-36, 37-42, 24:6-7, ​1 Thess. 5:21, ​2 Cor. 4:8. 

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And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

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Speaking for other disciples, Peter just declared that Jesus is “the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20). For those long familiar with who the church proclaims Christ to be, this declaration can lose its power. Sometimes, having heard the fundamentals of the faith so often, even the faithful may be tempted to breeze by Peter’s words as we would a discussion of a windy day in a forgetful conversation about the weather. Do we risk taking for granted this most incredible declaration?

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In the first century, for those looking forward to the Messiah’s (the Christ’s) arrival, this statement is as momentous as the announcement of His anticipated return would be today. And with that declaration comes what the Messiah commands: if anyone would come after me, then that one’s life will be spent in self-denial, self-sacrifice, and a selfless focus on Me.

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Without understanding who Jesus is, His statement belongs to the deluded. If He was not the Messiah, only one disconnected with reality would say such things. But if Jesus is the Messiah, then His command is wholly logical and expected. If He is the Son of God, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, then those of His Kingdom will put themselves aside for His sake. Those who are not of His Kingdom will refuse.

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In His characteristic directness, Jesus pulls no punches. He does not “soft-sell” the obligations of His followers. Self-denial is more than bypassing that second dessert. Although we are made in the image of God, we also hold within us the sinful lineage of all born from Adam. It is this part of our humanness – from which comes the selfish, bitter, resentful core of us, Jesus commands us to deny. 

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Taking up our cross is far more than an ornament looped around our necks, but the willingness, even the urgency, to die for the cause of Christ. Each cross crafted unique for its recipient, we become less afraid of death because we are less focused on who we used to be. Instead, our focus remains on Jesus and upon the lives He builds within us as we are “transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Cor. 3:18)

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In this, Jesus calls His followers to not just a better life, but a transformed life. Leaving behind a “caterpillar view from below” in exchange for a “butterfly vista from above”. Transforming from an earth dweller to a citizen of heaven. Exchanging our earthly passports for heavenly credentials.

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Some say that this exchange cannot be resisted by those who have been chosen. Yet, here Jesus warns the called that it is not going to be easy but to set that aside and with an urgency we can feel today, He commands, “Follow Me!”

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What is holding you back from fully following your King today?

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“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." John 14:1

“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9:22)

For the first of three instances, Jesus declares the completion of His earthly mission. His statement is not one of ambiguity but of certainty. With Jesus there is no doubt that He is not only the fulfillment of the prophetic arrival of the Messiah, but also the Suffering Servant of whom Isaiah writes:

“…he was despised and rejected by men.” Isaiah 53:3

“…he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.” Isaiah 53:5

“…when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring…prolong his days.” Isaiah 53:10

When Jesus said to His disciples that the Law and the Prophets spoke of Him, He knew precisely what was required.

In the Matthew account of this declaration, Peter rebukes Jesus, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But Jesus, knowing this prophecy was fulfilled in His rejection, death, and resurrection, would not be dissuaded from the mission in front of Him, as He sharply rebuked Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:23)

Put yourself in Peter’s sandals. Would you try to talk Jesus out of His mission? Peter was only trying to protect Him, right?

But how many times have you tried to talk Jesus out of His mission in your life?

Jesus has come to “seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) That’s us. Are you forgiven? Saved from sin?

Jesus has come to “set the captives free” (Luke 4:18) – not only forgiven from sin, but free from sin! Have you drawn upon His power through His Spirit to live a holy life, being transformed into His image more and more each day? (2 Cor. 3:18)

Jesus has come that we may “have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b) Is the full life Jesus promises yours? Not full of events or people or accomplishments (although all may be true), but filled and full of Jesus?

Jesus completed His mission. Have you submitted to the completion of His mission in you?