Mark 9:30-32
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know this, because he was teaching his disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill him. But three days after he is killed, he will rise.” But they did not understand the statement and were afraid to ask him about it.
Dear Lord Jesus,
To hear about someone’s impending death or receiving news from a doctor that one’s life is coming to an end is difficult to hear. It was no less challenging for the disciples, yet You always told them the good news—that you would not remain in the grave but rise three days later.
There are often things that happen in our lives that we don’t understand, and we, too, are afraid to ask because we may not like the answer. However, even as You taught your disciples and your words contradicted what they wanted to hear—they wanted an earthly Messiah to restore Israel—you told them what they needed to hear and what would occur to comfort them.
We also have things we don’t want, and while the answers seem to oppose our desires, we can be confident that what You do is in our best interest for our salvation. Just as you told the disciples, You would rise from the dead, so also we can have the confidence that your actions are in our best interest.
Your word occurred as you said: You died for all our sins and rose three days later from the grave. In that empty tomb is our assurance that all our sins have been forgiven. No longer is there anything that can keep us from Your love or keep us from being restored and united to the Father. We are confident that You have forgiven us, and we will be with You when our lives end.
At Your second coming, You will raise our mortal bodies as immortal; they will be transformed from corrupt to incorruptible. Allow us to share the good news of Your love and mercy with those who do not know You so that they will also trust and believe in You and have eternal life by faith in You. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
The Son of Man allowed himself to be betrayed to suffer and die at those men’s hands. Also, he rose from the dead as he said he would. All his work was to forgive you and to assure you of your eternal life and salvation.