The Prediction of the Cross

3 days ago
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Rev. Tse Amable | March 27 2026 | Luke 18:31-34

KEY VERSE: “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.” (Luke 8:31, NIV)

MESSAGE:

Jesus Christ explicitly predicted His death and resurrection at least three major times in the Synoptic Gospels. These predictions mentioned His suffering, rejection by leaders, crucifixion, and resurrection on the third day. In the first prediction, following Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Lord foretold that He must suffer, die, and rise again. In the second prediction, which took place in Galilee after the transfiguration, He told His disciples that He would be betrayed and killed. The third prediction came as Jesus was travelling to Jerusalem for the last time. On that occasion, He gave even more detail about His coming suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection.

Each time Jesus spoke to His followers about what would happen to Him in Jerusalem, He became more explicit. In today's text, the Lord laid out the events clearly. He even stated that the Gentiles would be involved in His suffering and death. There are three lessons we can learn from these predictions.

First, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was not an accident. It happened according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God and had been revealed centuries earlier through the prophets. Second, Jesus Christ did not draw back from His coming suffering and death. He willingly laid down His life and embraced the path of the cross. He did this because He knew He had authority to lay down His life and authority to take it up again. Third, Jesus Christ knew what the Scriptures said about Him, and that helped Him submit and surrender to the will of the Father. The Psalmist spoke of this in Psalm 40:6–8, and the writer of Hebrews applies it to Christ in Hebrews 10:5–7.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

What is your attitude toward suffering and death for the sake of Jesus Christ and the gospel? The Bible says, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29). Are you prepared to submit and surrender your life to the Lord in fulfilment of His will for you?

PRAYER:

Father, I thank You for the example of Jesus Christ concerning suffering and death. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of the resurrection to accept whatever hardship may come my way in following You. Grant me grace to submit and surrender fully to Your will. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

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Day 86: Judges 4–6 - God Uses Willing Servants

Daily word study: FULFILLED

The word fulfilled comes from the Greek word teleō. It means to complete, to bring to its intended end, or to carry out fully. In today's key verse, it points to the full accomplishment of what the prophets had spoken concerning the Son of Man.

Jesus did not go to Jerusalem, uncertain about what lay ahead. He knew that what had been written about Him would come to pass. His suffering, death, and resurrection were all moving according to the will of God. This shows us that the cross stood within the purpose of God and under His sovereign hand.

Reflect on this.

What God has spoken, He will bring to completion. Jesus walked in peace and obedience because He knew the Father’s will was sure.