Matthew 20 - Christianity Can't Be Marginally True!
Verses of the Day:
Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time
17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
Jesus didn't say many things three times. Jesus wouldn't have repeated something three times unless it was of ultimate importance. For the third time, Jesus reiterates to the disciples he was going up to Jerusalem to be handed over to the religious leaders, be condemned to death, handed over to the Gentiles. He would receive the very worst treatment given to the most heinous of criminals.
He would be mocked, flogged and crucified. If you have seen the move the "The Passion of Christ" by Mel Gibson, you would see the excruciating nature of the torture they put Jesus through. It was reserved for the vilest of criminals and done publicly to be a deterrent to other like minded individuals.
But the most important thing he said was, 'After three days, he would be raised from the dead." Again this is the third time Jesus let them know in advance that he would be raised from the dead. He wanted the disciples to know for a couple of reasons.
1. They wouldn't be overtaken with sorrow and anguish.
2. It would be proof once and for all He was and is the only Son of God.
3. They would be eyewitnesses of the resurrection, which would be the rallying cry of their preaching, teaching, and way of life. It would be worth dying for.
Despite this the disciples did not really understand what Jesus was saying to them.
"Seemingly, the disciples did not really listen when Jesus said these things. Their expectation was so focused on Jesus establishing an immediate political kingdom, and these words from Jesus were so contrary to that anticipation, these words just went over their heads." - Guzik
Jesus predicted these specific aspects of His coming agony – which on a human level He could not arrange. “They plucked his hair, they smote his cheeks, they spat in his face. Mockery could go no farther. It was cruel, cutting, cursed scorn.” (Spurgeon)
I have said this before, but it bears repeating. The Christian faith rises and falls on whether Jesus was literally raised from the dead. Let's make it as simple as possible. If Jesus really rose from the dead, He is who He said He was, the Son of God. If he didn't he lied or was crazy. Those are the only three options available.
Although we are saved by faith, our faith is based on facts. If I had more time to opine, we could go through all of the proofs of literal and bodily resurrection of Jesus. Every conversation you have with someone who thinks Christianity is a "feel-good" religion, or that Jesus was just a "good, moral teacher", or one of many religions, all of which lead to God, must come to a conclusion. Christianity is either true or false. It is not moderately true, kind of true, or a nice idea.
Three times Jesus said he exactly the same thing. Either you believe him or you don't? If you believe in him and it is true, your eternal destiny is secure based on what He clearly taught about the afterlife. If you don't believe in Him and He is true, you will have made the worst possible decision one could ever make in your life. You would be rejecting free the gift of God's love and forgiveness through Jesus. According to what Jesus taught, you will spend eternity apart from God in eternal regret.
What's it gonna be? Yes or no? It's that simple!
Application for the Day:
1. Do you believe Jesus is who he said he was? If not, when will you decide?
2. Do you feel confident that if someone asked you why you believe, you could explain what makes Christianity either true or untrue?
As 1 Peter 5:13,
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Prayer of the Day:
Jesus thank you that you came to earth to show us the full extent of the Father's love. Thank you that you were completely truthful when you told the disciples that you would be handed over, condemned, crucified, and then raised from the dead. Help me to to be courageous and prepared to give an answer for the hope I have in Christ!" Amen.
Prayer to Receive Christ As Your Savior
Jesus I believe you are the Son of God and you died for me on the cross to forgive me of all of my sin past, present, and future I believe you are the resurrection and the life if I believe in you I will not die but have eternal life Thank you for coming into my life to be my Lord and Savior forever. Amen
If you prayed that prayer email me at
Pastormike@ctkfb.org
God Bless!!
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