March 28, 2025

Today's Reading: Mark 10:32-34

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 40:1-23; Mark 10:32-52

[Jesus] began to tell them what was to happen to him,saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” (Mark 10:32c-34)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Sometimes, people get a “feeling” or a “premonition” of what will happen. Maybe that happens to you before a test, when you think either “I’ve got this covered, and I’m going to get an A!” or “This isn’t going to go well, and I hope to eke out a C.”  Maybe you have the feeling on the basketball court or softball field of how things are going to go. But those premonitions are fallible and don’t always come true. On the other hand, Jesus tells His disciples exactly what is going to happen to Him. This was no mere feeling that may or may not come true, but the prophecy of the Son of God who knows all things. He told His disciples exactly what would happen to Him in Jerusalem, down to the details of being spit on and mocked and flogged before His death.  

That threw the disciples into frightened conversation about what would come next. But Jesus called them back to the reality of what would happen to Him. After His death, He would rise again. This news of Jesus’ death and resurrection is the very heart of the Gospel. Jesus’ miracles and teachings are wonderful, but they mean nothing to sinners, including you, if Jesus didn’t die and rise again. Focus your attention on Jesus, who knew exactly what would happen in Jerusalem and went there for you.

When you have a feeling or a premonition that things won’t go well for you, or when you think that things aren’t going your way, set aside those self-centered feelings and focus on the eternally true fact that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose for you. He was spit on and mocked and flogged and crucified for you, but death could not hold Him. He did all that for you. His death and resurrection brings you the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. He didn’t turn aside from that suffering but suffered and died for you. Those words from the cross are for you: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” You are forgiven by the perfect suffering and death of Jesus.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What punishment so strange is suffered yonder! The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander; The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him, Who would not know Him. (LSB 439:4)

-Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!