They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “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 and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

Astonished. Afraid. I have felt these emotions at times, recently if I am honest.

Jesus was leading his disciples and followers through some pretty amazing times full of miracles, hard teachings, role reversals, and a changed definition of what really mattered in life. He healed and loved children. The way he taught was so simple, yet so difficult to implement. It’s like he wanted more than conformists — he wanted followers who were bold, with changed hearts.

His followers probably could not believe he was going right into the “hornet’s nest”, so to speak, by going back to Jerusalem. Why would he go back to the persecution waiting for him there, when he was doing so much good outside of Jerusalem?

His disciples knew he was God’s Son, but it was probably difficult to see how his actions and prophecies lined up with the role of “coming and conquering king”?

And today I wonder over the situations I find myself in — the circumstances life puts me or others in? Why do the outcomes not seem fair or just? Where is God in all of it?

But here is Jesus understanding the hearts of his followers and sharing a summary of future events to quiet their hearts. It’s as if he is saying, “There are going to be some very tough times ahead, and it will seem like all we have lived for is lost (arrest, beatings, crucifixion). But that is not the end of the story. Wait for the COMING GLORY! I will rise again!”

Lord, thank you for the way you reassure us when we are fearful or perplexed at how life is going. You gently come and whisper encouragement into our ears that you are paying attention and that you will make things right in the end. You are the best! I’ll follow you anywhere.