The Road Marked with Suffering
Scripture
Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time
32 They 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 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, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:32-34).
Reflection
Picture this climatic moment in a film: two explorers discover a treasure chest filled to the brim with gold, but this chest is on the other side of a flimsy wooden bridge crossing a marsh. Not wanting to take any chances, one tells the other, “You go first.” The other quivers and quickly responds, “No, I insist, you go first.” Not wanting to try the bridge first, they continue to defer to each other and neither crosses. This is a humorous scenario that captures a serious dilemma today: sometimes we find ourselves avoiding the road we need to travel—especially when it’s marked with hardship or suffering.
On the way to Jerusalem with his disciples, Jesus wasn’t reluctant to travel the road that would surely be marked with suffering. Knowing he would be condemned, that he would be mocked, spit on, flogged and killed by Gentiles, not only was Jesus willing to see his difficult journey to the end, he led the way.
The disciples had already been told of Jesus’ suffering and death, and that he would rise. They were afraid of what was to come in Jerusalem, but they followed. They didn’t make any excuses about being needed elsewhere, nor did they turn back. They followed. The disciples were also astonished by the determination and courage of their teacher. Knowing the cost, he had come to seek and save the lost and he would carry out God’s purposes for him.
Jesus’ obedience to his Father, even to the point of death, gave life to those who would believe in him. When our walk of faith is hard, when obedience seems difficult, let us remember that Jesus is not only with us—he goes before us. No matter what our journey holds for us, he leads us and prepares our steps. Just as Jesus prepared the disciples for the hardships that were coming, he gives us everything we need to follow him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, in trusting obedience you went to the cross for the sake of sinners; you suffered and died so that we might have eternal salvation. Help us to follow you, no matter how hard the journey, no matter what are our fears, knowing that you go before us.
2024 Lenten Journey
Adrian Brown