Let this sink down into your ears!

Luke 9:44

Jesus had appeared in glory on the mount of transfiguration. He healed the sick, raised the dead and even cast out demons. He gave to His followers power to work miracles as they preached the coming of God’s eternal kingdom; but, then, Jesus spoke some pretty remarkable words: “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.”

These words meant that Jesus would be turned over into the hands of His enemies and would be crucified for the sins of the world (cf. v. 31; 18:31-34; 24:46-47; Matt. 16:21; Mark 10:45; Isa. 53).

At the time, Jesus’ disciples did not understand. Peter even rebuked Jesus, saying these things would never happen to Him (Matt. 16:22).

These words of Jesus are no less important today. And, sad to say, people still don’t understand them. They become excited about following Jesus and doing mighty works in Jesus’ name. They look to establish Jesus’ kingdom here in this world. But they forget why it is that Jesus came - to suffer and die in our stead and bear the punishment for our sins and the sins of the whole world and rise again that we and all sinners might have forgiveness and life in His name.

So, “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” Don’t forget why it is that Jesus came into this world. He came to “minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45)!

It will do no good if we only go about this world helping the poor, healing the sick and casting out demons - that will only make people healthy and well off until they are cast into the eternal fi res of hell! What people need is to know they are sinners but that Christ died for them, paid in full the just punishment for all their sins and rose again because their debt, our debt and the debt of all, was paid in full when Jesus shed His blood for us and died upon the cross.

“Let these sayings sink down into your ears.” Consider them. Meditate upon them. Remember them. It was necessary that Jesus suffer, die and rise again on the third day; and the message we are to proclaim in this sin-filled and dying world is Christ crucifi ed. We are to proclaim the necessity of the cross for our redemption and salvation, and we proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name. We offer comfort and hope, not in the healing of our earthly ailments, but in the healing of our souls through the cross of Jesus Christ!

News, Pages 2 on 09/04/2013