Jesus Tells of His Death Again
This is the second time Jesus will tell His disciples about His impending death. The disciples are afraid to ask Him for clarification.
The first time Jesus told His disciples about His impending death, it didn’t go over very well. Peter stood up and rebuked Jesus. And got rebuked in the process. The others are not willing to face that same kind of rebuttal. Neither is Peter. This does NOT mean that they have excepted it or even understand what Jesus is telling them. Regardless, they have to hear it.
Jesus’ death is not all the disciples are thinking about. We see some of their ‘thoughts’ today as they walk along the roads with Jesus. Just another day along the way.
Holy Spirit, please guide ;this journey today. Let me walk the dusty streets with Jesus. Let me see and hear His heart as He moves towards the culmination of His reason for being born. Show me what I should take from the lessons He taught to apply to my own life. And help me maintain our focus, even with all the interruptions that this day holds for me.
♥ ♦ ♥
Jesus and His disciples have moved on from Caesarea Philippi. They are on the road again, heading to the region of Galilee. Jesus is leading everyone through unpopulated areas and avoiding the cities. He wants time alone with His disciples.
The sun is high and it is time to take a break. “John, go up ahead and find us a shady spot to rest” says Jesus.
“Right away, Teacher.”
John hurries ahead of the group and starts looking for a good place to rest. It doesn’t take him long to locate a small stream with trees growing near it. It’s a bit off the road, but a perfect place to refresh themselves.
John hurries back to the group in order to direct them. “Jesus, I found the perfect place to rest. It even has a stream to refill our waterskins.”
“That sounds wonderful! Lead on” Jesus says with a flourish of His hand signifying John as their guide.
John smiles and leads the group to the place he has chosen. It accommodates all who are in Jesus’ party. More than just the twelve disciples are walking with Jesus. The group boasts of several women and many disciples who have chosen to devote their lives to Jesus, even though they were not among the appointed twelve. The group has shrunk some from the early days. Jesus’ teachings were too hard for them, so they returned to their homes.
Jesus and His followers sit under the trees and at the edge of the stream, enjoying the rest. Jesus is glad they are comfortable, but He knows it is not going to last. He has something He needs to say to them.
Jesus stands up from His resting place. He strolls through the group. He motions Peter to stay where he is and rest, instead of jumping up and tending to Jesus’ safety. After a few minutes, Jesus speaks of what is on His heart. He looks out over the stream, not making eye contact with any of His disciples as He speaks.
“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise” (Mark 9:31).
The disciples all sit there, not saying a word. The last time Jesus spoke like this, there was trouble. NO ONE wants a repeat of that experience; especially Peter.
Peter keeps his hands clenched inside the sleeves of his tunic. He is determined to protect Jesus, no matter what comes, or what Jesus says. He won’t say anything, but he will be ready to act whenever danger presents itself.
After Jesus’ bombshell, no one really wants to sit around any longer. The relaxed mood has been broken. James stands up and dusts his hands. “Are we ready to go” he asks the group.
Heads nod all around. Then they look to Jesus. He closes his eyes for a moment. “Your will be done Abba” He silently prays before turning back to the group.
“Let’s go then” Jesus says with a small smile.
The road is long and dusty, but the group follows where Jesus leads. While they are walking along, several of the disciples begin to argue. Their topic is who is in charge and ‘first’ among them.
“I have protected Him from every danger” argues Peter.
“He called on me to go ahead and scout for a good place to rest just today even” offers John.
“He turned to me for help with feeding the people” Andrew offers.
“He took me with Him up the mountain the other day” says James.
Peter narrows his eyes at James. “We are not supposed to talk about that” he whispers.
“Talk about what” asks Andrew.
“Nothing. Just something we saw a while ago. Jesus told us to tell no one, until later.”
Andrew wants to push but the expression on his brother’s face tells him to back off. He sighs and shakes his head before taking up the topic of supremacy again.
Back and forth they go as they walk along; one trying to claim priority over the other. This group is careful to stay beyond Jesus’ hearing. But they are not beyond Jesus’ notice. For now, He says nothing. He lets them continue their argument.
As night falls, they reach the outskirts of Capernaum. They are home. “Go to your homes. Your families will want to see you” Jesus tells the large group that has been following Him.
While the group breaks up, Jesus leads His twelve disciples to the home of Simon Peter. They will spend the night together here. As they pass along the road, the collector of the two drachma tax approaches Peter.
“Does your teacher not pay the tax?” (Matthew 17:24).
Without even thinking about it, Peter answers him; “Yes.”
All that was on Peter’s mind was getting rid of this tax collector. No one paid the tax when they entered Capernaum. And it can wait for another day. Peter thinks no more of it as they enter his home.
Jesus waits just inside the door for Peter.
“What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” (Matthew 17:25).
Peter looks astonished for a second. Of course, Jesus knew about his conversation. “From others” (Matthew 17:26a) Peter replies.
Jesus nods and smiles. “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself” (Matthew 17:26b-27).
Peter doesn’t even attempt to argue. He shakes his head and goes back outside to his fishing supplies. From here, he takes a hook, bait, and a line. His line is spooled on a stick that is notched at both ends to wind the line as it is drawn in. These are his ‘shore fishing’ supplies.
It takes Peter little time to reach the seashore. He carefully attaches his hook to the rope and baits it. When everything is ready, he casts it into the sea. Peter doesn’t know how long he will have to wait for a fish to take his bait, but he will stay here until he has completed the task Jesus sent him to do.
Not long after the hook hits the water, the line is pulled taught. A fish has his hook! Peter sets himself to wrestle the fish to shore. Peter lets out a little line, then pulls it back in. He walks back and forth along the shoreline, letting the fish struggle and wear itself out. If he pulls it in too soon, the fish will snap the line.
After nearly ten minutes, Peter wrestles the fish to shore. It is a large catfish. “No wonder it fought so hard” Peter says to himself. Peter brings the fish further up the seashore and lays it down on the sand. He reaches with both hands and grabs the fish’s jaws. As soon as the jaws are open, Peter finds the coin Jesus said would be there; a full shekel. Peter takes it from the fish’s mouth and puts it in his pocket. He quickly cleans the fish and throws the organs back into the sea to be consumed by other fish. This one is large enough to feed the whole group.
Peter makes his way to the tax collector and pays the tax for Jesus and himself. As soon as that is settled, he heads home, bringing his catch.
Entering the house, Peter kisses his wife and presents her with his catch. “Is there time to prepare this before final meal” he asks.
Peter’s wife gives him a half scowl. “I suppose so, but it will be late in the evening.”
“That will be fine. We will listen to Jesus while we wait.”
Peter takes a seat with the other disciples. Jesus has been waiting for this moment. He wants to address the issue they were arguing about on the road. As casually as He can, Jesus poses a question.
“What were you discussing on the way?” (Mark 9:33).
The disciples’ hearts drop to their stomachs as they realize that Jesus heard them after all. Those who were involved in the debate look at one another, then bow their heads in shame. None of the others will answer for them.
Jesus nods knowingly. He sits up straight and looks the entire group in the eyes. “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
Peter’s wife happens to be watching some of her nephews today. Jesus motions for the youngest to come to Him. Timothy, with a huge smile on his face, runs over to Jesus. He doesn’t slow until he crashes into the side of Jesus’ thigh.
Jesus easily absorbs the force and picks up Timothy. He puts Timothy on His lap and wraps a protective arm around him to steady him.
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48).
Jesus looks into Timothy’s sweet face. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea…”
Jesus lifts Timothy off His lap and lets him go back to playing before continuing on. “…And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:42-50).
The disciples sit and digest this hard saying. To cut off one’s own hand or foot, or pluck out an eye is extreme! But so is the idea of spending eternity in Hell.
John has a question he wants to pose now. “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us” (Luke 9:49).
Jesus shakes His head and says to all of them, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:50).
They have to absorb this command as well.
“How do we know if they are truly for You Lord” asks Peter.
“That is not for you to judge. You will know them by their fruit. Beyond that, leave the heart to the Lord to judge. There will be those who come before the throne and proclaim that they have done mighty works in My name, but they knew Me not. And I will tell them so, on that day. But, for now, allow those who cast out demons in My name, or heal the sick in My name, or raise the dead in My name to continue these works. Later, you will be called to speak out against those who claim to be acting in My name, but are preaching false doctrine. Then, it will be time to divide the imitation from the authentic followers.”
The teaching concludes for the night when the fresh fish is laid out on the table before them all. Jesus blesses the meal and then thanks Peter for providing it.
“It held more than taxes for us. It gives food to our bodies” Jesus says as He holds a perfectly prepared piece of the fish between His fingers.
(to be continued)
I did a little self-determination in the order of events for our story today. I trust that the Spirit was leading me in that direction.
I have trouble with the “cut it off” portion of Jesus’ words here. I can’t imagine physically doing that. But, I can certainly understand removing sin from my life, at all cost! I’ll take less of me if it means spending eternity with Jesus.
Father God, help me to see what has to be removed in my life to make it pleasing unto You. I pray it is simpler than removing a hand or foot! But, whatever it takes Father. Draw me close to You in every way.
Give me Your wisdom in all aspects of my life, so that I don’t fall into any traps of the Devil. Continue working on my heart and drawing me closer every day. And for bringing me back here all day, no matter how many tasks dragged me away to complete.
