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

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Jesus was going to Jerusalem. His twelve followers were with him. While they were walking, Jesus gathered the followers together and spoke to them privately. Jesus said to them, "We are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be given to the leading priests and the teachers of the law. The priests and teachers of the law will say that the Son of Man must die. They will give the Son of Man to the non-Jewish people. Those people will laugh at him and beat him with whips, and then they will kill him on a cross. But on the third day after his death, he will be raised to life again."
— Matthew 20:17-19 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 20:17-19 NLT — "We are going to Jerusalem."

Key Thought

Sometimes it takes us three times to get it. All throughout this section of his ministry, Jesus gives indications about his death in Jerusalem; this is the third major prediction he makes to his twelve key followers. He tells them this 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 horrible and ugly. 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 is 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, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 16:21-23
  • Matthew 17:10-12
  • Matthew 17:22-23

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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.

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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