Did Jesus teach His disciples about the crucifixion? “From then on Jesus began to tell His disciples PLAINLY that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, and that He would suffer MANY TERRIBLE THINGS at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. HE WOULD BE KILLED, but on the third day HE WOULD BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD.” (Matt. 16:21) “Jesus wanted to spend more time with His disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later He will rise from the dead.” (Mark 9:30-31) “Jesus warned His disciples not to tell anyone who He was. “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” He said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day He will be raised from the dead.” (Luke 9:21-22)
So, they were VERY WELL informed about His crucifixion, did they believe Him? “When the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome…Very early on Sunday morning, went to the tomb…They saw the empty tomb…the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead…Now GO AND TELL HIS DISCIPLES …” (Mark 16:1-2, 6-7) The disciples did not even go to the tomb, why? “…when she told them that Jesus WAS ALIVE and SHE HAD SEEN HIM, THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE HER.” (Mark 16:11)
“After that, Jesus appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country (the Emmaus disciples). And they went and told it to the rest, but THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THEM EITHER.” (Mark 16:12-13) Let me tell you, of the many messages I have preached and taught, over the past 50 years, I wonder how much of it was believed or did it just go in one ear and out the other…God knows!!! And He knows that I love you!!! He is coming very soon, I just want you to be ready…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham