A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS

TT. A Lesson In Teaching For Later Results

(Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43b-45)

I. Introduction

A. After Peter, James and John had seen Christ’s future Kingdom glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, Christ again told His disciples of His suffering, death and resurrection, what was met with their misunderstanding.

B. At first glance, such unproductive misapprehension by the disciples makes Christ’s repeat predictions of His suffering appear to be futile, but Jesus was preparing them for later results, which is a lesson in itself.

C. We view this event in Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32 and Luke 9:43b-45 for our insight and application:

II. A Lesson In Teaching For Later Results, Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43b-45.

A. After the Mount of Transfiguration, the three passages above reveal that Jesus told His disciples to let this saying sink down into their ears, that He as the Son of man would be delivered into the hands of men, that they would kill Him, but that then He would rise from the dead three days later.

B. The response of Jesus’ disciples to this announcement is described in the various following ways:

1. Matthew 17:23 ESV reported that the disciples “were greatly distressed” at Jesus’ prediction.

2. Mark 9:30-32 claimed the disciples did not understand this prediction and were afraid to ask Jesus about it.

3. Luke 9:43b-45 stated that the disciples did not understand Jesus’ prediction, that it was hidden from them so that they might not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask Him to explain this prediction to them.

C. A major reason for this response by the disciples was the teaching of the religious leaders of that day:

1. “The Jews at the time of Christ were confused about the Old Testament prophecies concerning Messiah. They recognized on the one hand that Messiah was to suffer, and on the other that Messiah would rule in power and glory. These two lines of revelation seemed to be contradictory.” (J. Dwight Pentecost, The Words and Works of Jesus Christ, 1991, p. 262)

2. Consequently, “Jewish theology sought to harmonize the confusion by teaching the coming of two Messiahs: one to suffer and die, and the other to reign in power and glory. The disciples were not above accepting this popular conception” (Ibid.).

3. Since Peter, James and John had recently witnessed Jesus’ future Kingdom glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, and since the other nine disciples had heard Jesus proclaim the coming Kingdom of God (cf. Mark 1:14-15) and had seen multitudes marvel at His miracles presenting Himself to be the Messiah of that kingdom (Mark 1:21-28), it was inconceivable to the disciples that Jesus, Whom they considered to be the Messiah to reign, would also be the Messiah Who would suffer as that violated Jewish teaching!

4. Accordingly, Jesus’ predictions of His suffering was confusing and upsetting to the disciples, but such a serious and confusing subject inhibited them from daring to ask Jesus to explain it to them!

D. Christ as God Incarnate knew of their confusion and inhibition, but He stated that He wanted His prediction to sink down in their ears, that they not forget it (Luke 9:44). His purpose, then, in giving this prediction before the cross was it be recalled by His disciples after His resurrection that they might understand that the cross had not been a mistake, but an intentional part of God’s plan for the one Messiah Who would also later reign. The Christian faith would thus be seen as credible to the disciples as evidenced by Peter’s Acts 2:22-41 sermon.

E. This prediction event then examples for us the importance of stating Bible truth even if our hearers might not initially comprehend it: due to spiritual immaturity, some truths that are taught to some people may not immediately be understood by them, but future trials will cause them to remember them so as to make them understand them for their benefit. It is thus essential that we faithfully hold forth the truth and tell of it to others even if they do not immediately respond to it. Such truth may well come to be understood when such hearers face significant trials to where they can understand and use those truths that once confused them.

Lesson: Though errant Hebrew views of Messiah’s predicted glory and suffering were so confusing to Hebrew teachers that they thought there must be two Messiahs, one who would suffer and the other who would be glorified, Jesus taught that one Messiah would both suffer and be glorified so that when His disciples witnessed His suffering, death and resurrection, they would understand His prediction and see the Christian faith was true.

Application: May we follow Jesus’ example in faithfully giving Biblical truth out even if our hearers may not at first understand it, for in time when they face trials that make that truth not only clear, but also priceless to them, they can be greatly edified in the Lord.