Predictions That Came True

 N.T.#623 "Predictions That Came True"

August 29, 2025 

Luke 18-Part 8 

LET IT GLOW

Success in kingdom work often looks like failure by human standards. Such was the case as Jesus fulfilled His mission. Verses 31-34 indicate a point in time less than two weeks before Christ's crucifixion, when He clearly announced His coming death to the disciples. He explained what was about to happen to Him. 

What were the details?

• They were going to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of man will come true. (verse 31, NLT) This is found in Isaiah 42, 49-53. He came to satisfy the requirements of the Law, of which Israel had failed. Christ fulfilled all of the Old Testament, not just the prophetic parts. 
• Jesus would be handed over to the Romans.
• He would be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon.
• They would flog Jesus with a whip and kill Him.
• On the third day Jesus Christ will rise again. 

The King James Version uses the words mocked and spitefully entreated in verse 32.

Mocked means to jeer at. This was done in Luke 22:63.

Spitefully and entreated use the same Greek word, which means exercise violence; abuse.

It is mentioned again in Luke 20:11.

What a terrible and horrific thing the Jews did to One of their own. Yet it was in God's plan all along, so He could fulfill the Scriptures and so He could provide salvation for those who believed in Jesus. 

We find the predictions of Jesus' betrayal in Psalm 41:9, and His crucifixion in Isaiah 53:4-7, and His resurrection in Psalm 16:10.

LET IT GROW

Jesus had already predicted His sacrificial death twice. (Luke 9:21-22 and 43-45)

As terrible as all of this was going to be for Jesus, it was confusing to the disciples. They simply did not understand then, but soon they would.  They were baffled and could not grasp it. How could the Messiah be killed in Jerusalem, the place where He would one day sit upon the throne and reign as King? Was their focus on Jesus' death and not on His resurrection?

So it was hid from them, according to verse 34. The disciples needed the Holy Spirit to clarify things, which was not present yet for them. Well, the guys didn't understand the significance of Jesus Words nor did they grasp what He was talking about. 

Jesus still had some healing to do, a short rich man to see, a Temple to cleanse, and a few more things to teach. 

LET IT GO

Speak through Your Word, Lord, and save those who read this.

Fill them with faith to believe that You died in their place, paying for their sins so they don't have to.

Thank You for all You endured for me and others.

What a loving Savior!

Glory to Your name, King Jesus.