The Light Shines in the DarknessSample

Jesus foretold his death and resurrection

“Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’. […] He was speaking about the temple of his body.” (John 2:19, 21)

Two days ago, I wrote that Jesus was crucified without defending Himself, “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter”. That’s true. But it is important to note that Jesus was not a helpless victim of the Jewish leaders’ hatred. He knew beforehand that He would be murdered, and He also knew that three days later He would rise from the dead. He could have prevented all this from happening, but He chose not to. Even when his soul was deeply troubled shortly before his arrest, He was determined to fulfill his mission: “And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose, I have come to this hour” (John 12:27).

Jesus’ atoning death was not an accident. It was planned before the foundation of the world. “Christ was chosen before the world was made, but He was shown to the world in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:20, ERV). God had revealed parts of this plan to people, in the Old Testament Scriptures. Now Jesus was ready to fulfill everything that was written there: “Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book” (Hebrews 10:7).

Thank you, Jesus, that you went through so much suffering to save us!