Let Me Tell You What is Going to Happen!

Jesus going to the cross.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Jerusalem.

Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn't want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead." They didn't understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant. Mark 9:30-32 

After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead." And the disciples were filled with grief. Matthew 17:22-23

 

Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God's power. While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, "Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies." But they didn't know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn't understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. Luke 9:43-45

 

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ death prediction.

 

This wasn’t the very first time that Jesus had mentioned His impending death and resurrection. Remember just a few days ago (see July 30, 2026 blog), Jesus and His disciples had been at Caesarea Philippi where, after asking who they said that He was, He frankly began to teach them about the suffering, death, and resurrection that would happen to Him.

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. "Get away from me, Satan!" he said. "You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's." Mark 8:31-33

He told them then and now, and will tell them at least one more time (see Mark 10:33-34) before the actual events happen. But it was difficult for them to understand, and they were afraid to ask Him questions about it. God had a plan that did not include giving the disciples insight into what was going to happen. Jesus loved teaching His disciples—especially without others around to distract them. On this side of the cross, we can see what Jesus was predicting and are mystified by the disciples’ lack of understanding. No one wanted Jesus to be betrayed…except Judas—but that is giving away the coming story. These dear friends and followers of Jesus were afraid and filled with grief. How could this happen to their beloved Rabbi? He is revealing to them God’s plan. Let me tell you what is going to happen! No guesswork—but no comprehension. Would you have believed what Jesus was foretelling?

What do you understand about Jesus’ character from these passages of Scripture today?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I understand Your predictions to Your disciples—and I can read that it happened just as You said. Now, I’ve heard predictions about Your imminent return. Please give me, my family, and friends wisdom and understanding about this event. I trust You and look forward to seeing You blazing across the sky in all Your glory! May glory, honor, and power be Yours—as well as our Heavenly Father’s.

 

Verses of Salvation ~ I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Galatians 1:6-10

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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