Jesus Foretells His Death And Resurrection Series

The Great Commission

Part 12 – Jesus Foretells His death

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mar 30th 6:00PM Evening Service at the church –

“Seminary Students will be preaching”

March 30th – Grace Steadman

April 6th – Lori Ulman

April 13th – Lynnette Higgins

April 20th – Walker Spriggs

April 27th – Deacon Kurt Ulman

WHERE WE ARE AT

† Peter confesses Jesus is God

† Jesus foretells His death

INTRODUCTION

At this point in time in Jesus’ Ministry, we see a shift in His teaching.

He goes from teaching crowds in Parables, to concentrating on preparing the Disciples for His coming death.

He will only spend approximately 3 ½ years with the Disciples before His crucifixion.

There is a lot to be done in this period of time.

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 16:21 – 28

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

I. FROM THAT TIME ON

a. Jesus prepared the Disciples for what was coming

“From that time forth…”

This tells us that once Jesus began preparing the Disciples, He did not stop ‘preparing’ them until His death.

He told them He would suffer many things at the hands of the Elders, Chief Priests, and Scribes (or teachers of the Law).

He already hinted at this when He said, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." – John 2:19

But now, He began to speak it plainly to them.

Until now, He did not do this plainly because the Disciples were weak.

But now, strong in faith, and knowledge of understanding of the Word of God, they were capable to receive this Truth.

Note: Christ reveals his mind to his people gradually, and lets in light as they can bear it, and are fit to receive it.

b. What did He foretell?

i. The place He would suffer – Jerusalem, the Holy City. Though He lived most of His life in Galilee, He must die in Jerusalem, because that is where all the sacrifices were offered, He being the Great and true sacrifice.

ii. The persons by whom He would suffer. Although it was the Romans who handed out the actual punishment, it was at the prompting of the Elders, Chief Priests and Scribes.

c. Why did He do this

To prepare them for the work which was at hand, and that they (the Disciples themselves) were a product of an eternal counsel and consent; agreed upon by God Himself.

To show that foreknowledge and preparation had been made, and that God was in total control.

Also: The disciples, believing Jesus was the Messiah, did not understand the Spiritual implications of His position.

They assumed He was going to rise up and be a great leader among the men of earth, not fully understanding the separation sin had caused, and the true need for a Savior, to reconcile us to God our Creator.

Man’s views are always small in comparison to the REAL picture of things.

Telling them also allowed them time to reflect on the matter and prepare themselves not just for the heartache to come, but the work at hand.

II. PETER’S REBUKE

a. The Offense

22 “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

Rebuke – to straightly forbid.

Perhaps Peter was a little elevated with the great things Christ had just said to him, which made him more bold with Christ. (Previous verse about Simon being called Peter).