Jesus predicts his death
many times
You know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man will be betrayed and will be crucified. Matthew 26:2
We see that there were multiple
times when Jesus predicts his death in all three of the synoptic gospels. (Mathew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34 and Luke 18:31-34)
Why is it the disciples could not understand the eminent
death of Jesus? They just could not believe or even comprehend that Jesus the
Son of God would die on a cross.
Death is an extremely difficult stage to understand.
Particularly when it involves some one close. We see them with us and we just
do not want to imagine a time when they will not be there. Can we do anything
to prevent it from happening?
Despite saying it multiple times, the disciples
just could not face the situation. They continued to think everything was going
to be okay.
Yet we see the courage with which Jesus goes to
face his death. His disciples were no comfort or support. Barclay says many men
can be courageous on the spur of the moment (sudden death. Isn’t that what most
men wish for), but to face it with a finality it takes a different kind of
courage. When one faces death it is not the absence of fear but to have courage
to face it despite the fears.
Were the disciple’s blind-sided
when Jesus was arrested and sentenced to crucifixion? Jesus probably knew the
intense pain and suffering he would have to under go before his death. Yet he
knew to finally to break the grip death has on all of us and to reconcile us
with God the Father this would be the journey he would have to undertake.
Henri Nouwen when he
talks about dying well he says, the big question, therefore, is not "What
can I still do in the years I have left to live?" but "How can I
prepare myself for my death so that my life can continue
to bear fruit in the generations that will follow me?"
Salem Moravian Graveyard Also known as: Salem Moravian God's Acre
The hymn, Abide with me was written by a Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte, who was dying from Tuberculosis. This was the last hymn he wrote before he died (1847) . Yet this hymn continues to be sung in many churches all over the world. It has turned into a classic whose profound words continues to inspire and touch the hearts of millions who have sung it down through the years.
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