Those Who Followed Were Afraid

Mark 10:32 (NET) They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem. Jesus was going ahead of them, and they were amazed, but those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was going to happen to him. 33 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and experts in the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him severely, and kill him. Yet after three days, he will rise again.”

The Death March

Jesus was going to Jerusalem. He knew he would die. He walked with purpose. He had no fear. Perhaps a sense of dread since he knew what faced him, but no fear.

The Pharisees wanted him dead. His popularity and power were a direct threat to their authority and influence. The only way for them to regain the loss of status they suffered since Jesus came on the scene was to kill him.

The trap was set. Jesus walked directly into it, knowing he would die. He knew his death was necessary. He knew his death would save many. He knew how it would happen.

Jesus Explained It to His Disciples

Jesus had read the prophecies. He knew they spoke of him. He knew how each step would happen and the order each step would occur.

To his disciples he explained the order and the details. Later they would remember and have faith.

As Predicted, He Arose

After three days, he rose from the dead. He defeated the final enemy, death. He is the first. Those who believe will rise with him when he returns. When he defeated death, he defeated it for us as well.