What Jesus Did! 'To Jerusalem' — Matthew 20:17-19

Saturday, September 20, 2025

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. "Listen," he said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead."
— Matthew 20:17-19 NLT

Key Thought

Sometimes it takes us multiple times to get it. All throughout this section of his ministry, Jesus gives indications about his death in Jerusalem; this is the fourth prediction he makes to his twelve key followers. He tells them this about his death privately because the focus of his ministry toward the end of his life was with the disciples.

Jesus' words are chillingly accurate. Jesus' words are about horrible and ugly events. Jesus' words are his destiny, God's will for his life and death. But most of all, Jesus' words are about us and God's great redemptive love for us.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous King of Glory, thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus. His death was horrible. His knowledge of its coming was undoubtedly an added horror. Thank you Jesus for laying down your life for us, for me. You are worthy of all thanks and praise for enduring the cross and all it means so that I could be saved. Thank you. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 20:17-19
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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 20:17-19 NLT — "Listen,"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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