(Jesus said) "Let these words sink into your ears: the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men" (Luke 9:44).
Read Luke 9:37-45

Coming down with His three disciples from the Mountain of Transfiguration, Jesus encounters a demon that His other disciples are unable to cast out. With divine might and majesty, Jesus overpowers the demon and sends him away. The crowd is completely amazed and stands marveling at what God has done. Jesus knows His disciples are still clinging to hopes of an earthly kingdom, and He doesn't want them to get swept away by the excitement of the crowds. So He turned to talk directly to them. To get their attention He could have easily said, "Listen carefully." Instead, He says something even more striking: "Let these words sink into your ears."

And what are the extremely important words Jesus has to tell them? They are these: "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men." Despite their dreams, and the hope of the crowd following them, Jesus' suffering is close at hand. He is "about to be delivered into the hands of men."

But Jesus reveals one more painful fact about His coming suffering He did not reveal the first time: it will come about through an act of betrayal. Of course, Jesus knows the identity of His betrayer, but He withholds that information, for now. Not only will He be rejected and, consequently, subjected to violent brutalities and death, but treachery will be connected with these events as well.

The disciples fail to understand and are afraid to ask Jesus anything about it. The suspense is building as Jesus' destiny-and our salvation-draw near.

THE PRAYER: Almighty God, Your Son single-mindedly set His steps to fulfill Your plan to save the world. Give me an unwavering faith to follow Him all my days. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 5-6    Mark 13:1-20

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