How does Matthew 20:17 prepare us for Jesus' upcoming sacrifice and resurrection? Setting the Scene Matthew 20:17: “As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said to them on the way,” Intentional Journey Toward the Cross • “Going up to Jerusalem” is more than a travel note; it signals the final, deliberate march toward Calvary. • Old Testament prophecy foresaw the Messiah’s suffering in Jerusalem (Isaiah 52:13–53:12; Psalm 22). By recording this ascent, Matthew shows those prophecies moving from promise to fulfillment. • Luke underscores the same resolve: “When the days were drawing near for His ascension, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). Private Preparation of the Twelve • Jesus “took the twelve disciples aside.” The Twelve represent the renewed people of God, echoing the twelve tribes of Israel. • By addressing them privately, He ensures that His closest followers grasp the coming events before the public spectacle unfolds. • This intimacy highlights discipleship: the Lord shares His heart with those committed to follow Him (John 15:15). Jerusalem: The Chosen Place of Sacrifice • Jerusalem housed the Temple, the epicenter of sacrifice. Jesus, the true Lamb (John 1:29), heads to the city where lambs were offered—confirming that all earlier sacrifices pointed to Him (Hebrews 10:1–14). • The location roots His death in Israel’s redemptive history, showing God’s seamless plan from Passover to the cross. Language of Determination • The verb tense—“was going up”—portrays ongoing action; He keeps moving forward. • Isaiah 50:7 foreshadows this resolve: “Therefore I have set My face like flint,” a prophecy fulfilled in Christ’s unwavering advance. • Nothing is accidental: Jesus Himself declares, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord” (John 10:18). Foreshadowing Resurrection • Verse 17 introduces the third Passion prediction that follows in verses 18–19, climaxing with “and on the third day He will be raised to life.” • By positioning verse 17 as the doorway to that prediction, Matthew links the journey, the suffering, and the triumph in one seamless narrative. • Hebrews 12:2 captures the same arc: “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Takeaways for Today • Jesus’ path was purposeful; our salvation rests on His deliberate obedience. • The accuracy of prophecy and fulfillment reassures us that every promise of God stands firm (2 Corinthians 1:20). • Just as the disciples were drawn aside for deeper understanding, believers are invited into Scripture to know the heart of the Savior who went to the cross and rose again for them. |
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