CHRIST KNEW HE MUST BE CRUCIFIED AND REJECTED
When Jesus was asked when the kingdom of God would come, He told His disciples that an important event “must” precede its coming. What was this event? It was His crucifixion and rejection.
Jesus knew why He came. He came to die, so that we might live. He knew that the only way for the kingdom of God to come was for Him to suffer terribly and be rejected. This had to happen “first,” in order to establish the basis for God’s kingdom to come. For He had to first come as the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world before one day returning as the Lion of Judah, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Jesus told everyone that would listen the same thing over and over again, namely that He would suffer and die, but on the third day, He would arise. All four gospels report this. But the disciples had trouble understanding this at the time. Peter even tried to rebuke Jesus for saying such things. Yet even Christ’s enemies took note. For after His crucifixion and burial they asked Pilate to post a guard at His tomb saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day” (Matt. 27:63-64).
Jesus accomplished his first mission. His last words on the cross were, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). In other words, “Mission accomplished!” But what of his second mission? What of the establishment of His Kingdom? What of His Second Coming? What else needs to happen before His return?
According to Jesus, nothing else needs to happen. His return will come suddenly like a “thief in the night.” And the world will be caught unawares. For He said that at His return it will be as it was in the days of Noah when the flood came. Or as it was in the days of Lot before the fire rained down from heaven. In both cases, people went about their normal business before judgment fell.
So on this Good Friday, let us remember Christ’s crucifixion and rejection that had to happen “first.” And let us stay awake and be ready for His soon return. For He is risen and He is coming again!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed by what Your Son has accomplished for us. For He has made a way for us to be forgiven our sins and to be adopted into Your family. We look back in faith, remembering His sacrifice on this day. And we look forward in hope, awaiting His soon return. In Jesus’ name, amen.