Jesus, foreknowing what is going to take place, chooses to give his disciples a glimpse at what is going to unfold - the brutal crucifixion. Yet, the disciples don’t understand.

As we spend time working through this passage today, there are two things I believe we should work through:

The first is that in order to understand the cross, we must understand the depth and weight of our own sin. Despite spending three years with Jesus, listening to His teachings, watching him live in perfect communion with His Father, and go without sin, the disciples still don’t understand separated they are from God by their sin, how desperately they need to be rescued, and how significant the punishment they face to be.

Reflection: Do you realize or do you comprehend that Jesus was beaten and crucified for you, you, and for your sin? Do we understand the weight of our sinfulness? If we are anything like the disciples the answer is no.

The second thing is that the Holy Spirit graciously changes us, reveals the beauty of the Gospel, and empowers us to pick up our own crosses and walk. To lay down our lives as Jesus did for us for the world around us, that they may come to know the true love and work of our Savior Jesus.

Reflection: Am I carrying my cross daily or am I simply resting in the gift of salvation?

[Luke 18.31-34]

31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is Jesus foretelling?

+ What do you think is going on in the heart of Jesus, both as it relates to His imminent death and as it relates to why He is telling His disciples?

+ What do you think is the reason the disciples don’t understand what Jesus is telling them?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How am I minimizing the weight and cost of my own sin?

+ What sin is the Lord convicting me of and asking me to turn from?

+ Am I carrying my cross daily and walking in obedience, even through difficult seasons, or am I simply resting in the gift of Salvation?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?