What Jesus Did! 'Failed to Grasp It' — Luke 18:31-34

Monday, October 30, 2023

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Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, "Listen, we're going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again."

But they didn't understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.

— Luke 18:31-34 NLT

Key Thought

With mere human words, Jesus could not help the disciples understand. Nevertheless, his words gave them something to remember and to put into perspective at a later time — a time after he had been crucified and resurrected from the dead. Jesus' destiny in Jerusalem was simply incomprehensible to the disciples when he told them what would happen. They had seen the good he had done. They had experienced his life-changing presence first hand. They believed him to be the Messiah. How could God's Messiah be crucified? How could he be executed for the deeds of kindness he had performed and the words of truth he had spoken? We, on the other hand, must grasp this truth: Jesus was going to Jerusalem knowing full well that he would be persecuted, rejected, tortured, and killed. Yet he went anyway, to honor God and to pay the price for our sin. We must not let this loving sacrifice be hidden from our hearts!

Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you for going to Jerusalem while knowing that the cross was coming and yet enduring it for the sake of my salvation. To you, O Lord and Christ, belong all glory, honor, blessing, and praise. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Philippians 2:5-11
  • Hebrews 12:2
  • John 12:23-28

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 18:31-34 NLT — "Listen, we're going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true."

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 and is available in book form.

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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