For the third time Jesus tells his apostles that he will be condemned as a criminal and executed by crucifixion. It is likely they don’t fully comprehend what Jesus is saying. After all, they have been waiting for over 400 years for the Messiah to redeem Israel. How could Jesus, the Son of God, be killed? Two thousand years later, we understand what he meant by these words. But do we fully comprehend what Jesus did for us? That he willingly allowed himself to be stripped naked, flogged, nailed to a cross, and die a most painful death?
Lord, help me to understand the pain and death you willingly suffered, for my sins.
Reflections on the Word of God 