Day 26: Let God Arise

Mark 9:30-32

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.


Since we know the "rest of the story", as Paul Harvey would say, it's difficult to imagine that this (super extremely clear) statement of Jesus would cause so much confusion among the disciples. I will be delivered into the hands of men. I will be killed. After three days I will rise. Are we clear? Crystal. But the truth is that what was about to happen was so extraordinary, so unforeseen, so incredible, that they couldn't believe their ears.


Remember that they viewed Jesus as the coming King. Not only that, but he was a king who had not yet ascended to power. Not yet saved the nation of Israel. Not yet overthrown the power hungry Romans. They thought this was only the beginning, and here he was telling them that this was the end? It made no sense.


They could never - never - believe the enormity of what they were about to witness. The salvation of all mankind, brought about by the sacrifice of Almighty God Himself. They were going to see it... but I'm not sure they would know, even then, what they were seeing. It certainly doesn't seem so from this passage.


The good news is that we do know the rest of the story. We know why he didn't choose to set up an earthly kingdom, and we understand that his death allowed us to live. Let's live like we understand it.