“And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way He said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and He will be raised on the third day.’” Matthew 20:17-19
I love speaking at school chapels and seeing the faces and expressions of our students when they hear the truth of God’s Word. Even more so when it’s Easter week and I have the privilege of speaking on the above text about the most important event in the history of the world – the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All throughout history since the time of creation, there have been hundreds of prophecies recorded in the Old Testament foretelling the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, who came into this world to defeat sin and death – for those who believe in Him.
“It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:24-25
Not only are there hundreds of prophecies and promises from the Old Testament about the life, death, and resurrection fulfilled by Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gave further prophetic insight to His disciples on numerous occasions, including the passage in Matthew 20:17-19. Three times in Matthew, Jesus warns His disciples of what awaits Him as ordained by God. This is the third and final time Jesus warns His disciples (the other times are found in 16:21; 17:22-23), and it is the week before His crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, will give His life so that we who believe in Him will be freed and forgiven of our sins and enter life with Him for eternity.
This, beloved, is God’s love story to us. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s love story is unveiled, and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest and most amazing part of God’s love to us. Forgiveness, mercy, and grace are wrapped in the love of God and we receive this great love when we believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior and born again into the family of God as children of God.
“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:5-8
This is the truth of the gospel and the truth of Easter. I hope and pray you know this truth and the life and love of Christ who was given for you.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Happy Easter and may God bless you with His grace, love, and truth!