Matthew 17:22-23

And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; 23 and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved. - Matthew 17:22-23

Dear Jesus,

I would have been grieved too if you looked me in the eye and told me you were going to be betrayed by a friend and that it would mean your death. Now that we have time to watch this unfold and contemplate the meaning of your life, we can see the committed love with which you navigated the disciples. Your goal is not that we avoid suffering but that we understand the meaning of life, yours and ours. How easily we lose track and get lost in denial. Thank you for patiently saying the hard thing. But many more thanks that you broke into this veil of tears and used your death to bring us life. I have hope in the resurrection because you willingly paid for my sins and left them behind in the grave on the third day. Give me the supernatural power to live in this hope today.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

If you know that you will ultimately cheat death, every other problem looks smaller.

Additional Reading: 1 Peter 1