What Jesus Knew

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For the last 5 weeks James and Greg have told us that Jesus knew of the tragedy that would come to Him if He returned to Jerusalem. But how did He know? Did God tell Him in a dream or in an audible voice? Did an angel visit Him with the news? Did another prophet tell Him?

The answer is much simpler. Jesus knew what was going to happen to the Messiah because God’s Word had prophesied hundreds of things about Him in great detail. He also knew that He WAS the Messiah because of the calling in His spirit and because of the training received from His parents (surely, at least one of them must have told Him about the angelic visits and the miracles surrounding His birth). We also must remember that Jesus was God, in the flesh. He didn’t just know the Word … He Is the Word (John 1:1-14).

Jesus knew the things that were going to happen to Him, beyond His control, on that Friday, because He knew God’s Word. For example, He knew that …

He would be betrayed by a friend                              Ps.41:9 / Luke 22:7
He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver            Zech.11:12,13 / Matt.26:15-16
He would be rejected by His own people                   Isa.53:3 / Luke 23:18
He would be hated without reason                            Ps.35:19; 69:4 / John 15:24,25
He would be accused by false witnesses                    Ps.35:11 / Mark 14:56-58
He would be spat on and struck                                 Isa.50:6 / Matt.26:67
He would be scorned and mocked                             Ps.22:17,18 / Luke 23:35
His friends would forsake Him                                   Zech.13:7 / Matt.26:31-56
He would be crucified with the wicked                      Isa.53:9,12 / Mark 15:27,28
His hands would be pierced                                        Zech.12:10; Ps.22:16 / John 20:27
He would be given vinegar and gall                           Ps.69:21 / Matt.27:34
The soldiers would gamble for His clothes                Ps.22:17,18 / John 19:23,24
His bones would not be broken                                  Ps.34:20; 22:17 / John 19:32-36
His side would be pierced                                           Zech.12:10; 13:6 / John 19:32-37
Natural havoc would follow His death                       Amos 5:20; Zech.14:4-7 / Matt.27:45-54
He would be buried with the rich                               Isa.53:9 / Matt.27:57-60

How could Jesus possibly endure the weight of this suffering knowing what was coming on Friday? Because He also knew that Sunday was coming!

Will you join me in this prayer? Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus endured all that for me. I may never face trials like Jesus did, but regardless of what I face, when I need strength to face it, please remind me that Sunday already came, that He already rose again and conquered sin and death, and that I already have Your promised divine power to escape the corruption of this dark world. May I honour You with whatever suffering you will for me, in the power of Jesus’ Name, amen!

Note: your writing team this week is Claire Walker, Rob Tudball and Peter Bowyer.




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