Clearly Misunderstood

Communicating clearly is always a challenge for us. When we use the wrong word or mix up our words the result is often humorous.

And let’s face it – often it is hard to communicate clearly! Sometimes it’s difficult to understand some of the cryptic passage of the Bible–but not this passage that we are going to consider today.  

In our passage today Jesus speaks plainly, he doesn’t put any sugar on it. He doesn’t use deeply spiritual language or use a parable with a hidden message.

He says, “Listen up disciples: ‘I’m going to Jerusalem to die.’” And still, the disciples didn’t get it. Let’s read beginning in Luke 18:31:

31 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

Now let's see if we can break this into 3 parts for a better understanding of what Jesus was telling them.

·        The trip to Jerusalem

·        The things that will be accomplished there

·        Their lack of understanding