Matt 16:21   From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

              

The one thing, above all else, that this verse tells us is that Jesus was completely in control of his life AND knew what he was doing AND knew what is coming. Those who suggest that Jesus was at the mercy of circumstances beyond his control have never properly read the Gospels. That option is not open to us. Again and again this same thing comes through: Jesus knew!

 

There are four things revealed in this verse. First that he would go to Jerusalem where it would all apparently go wrong. He could have stayed away but the Plan required him to go to Jerusalem. this was a plan which, the New Testament repeatedly tells us, was formulated by the Godhead BEFORE the foundation of the world

Second, when he got there he would suffer at the hands of the Establishment. They would be his opposition. it is a sad thing that it was organized religion, purportedly representing God, that opposed the will of God. It was the goodness of Jesus that showed them up and made them defensive.

Third, he would be killed. Of this there was no doubt. This was the apparent end product of the coming events, death, his death! This was what the disciples struggled with. They couldn't cope with the thought that the Son of God with all his obvious power could be overcome by the rulers and put to death. But actually that wouldn't be the end.

Why? Because, fourth, he would be raised from the dead on the third day. (Friday was day one, Saturday was day two and Sunday was day three.) The Old Testament prophets spoke of this and Jesus declared it to his disciples several times, but that didn't make it any easier to believe.

 

Can we have this certainty of faith today, that Jesus still knows and still plans and is never out of control – and that includes everything in my life as God's child, and as He leads me?