a greatly distressing message


As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. [Matthew 17:22-23 ESV]

The gospel is a greatly distressing message.
Just consider what happened in the hours preceding the death of Jesus.
My heart breaks when I consider what happened to God's only Son.

He was delivered to the religious and governmental leaders of that time.
He was given a mock trial and declared guilty of blasphemy by religious leaders.
The 'Men of God' should have known better.

He was delivered to two leaders (Pilate and Herod) who treated him with unspeakable violence.
He was then sentenced to death and nailed to a cross on a Friday.
The gospel is a greatly distressing message.

Yet the message was turned on its head on Sunday morning.
In a single stroke of the miraculous, God would not let the cross be the last word.
Jesus was raised from the dead and appeared to his disciples in an immortal body.

Reams have been written about the resurrection and still many do not believe.
Perhaps these cannot get past the distressing message of the cross?
Perhaps the resurrection is too wonderful to embrace?

Thank you Lord that the cross was not the last word. Praise you Jesus.


... this devotion is part of the Red Letters series. Click here to read more.

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