Luke 9:43-45

Luke 9:43-45 While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Luke 21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread.

We like to hear about deliverance, healings, but not betrayal. In the Luke 9 verses, we see the Jewish people marveling over the fact that Jesus cast a demon from a boy. The people were definitely impressed, and I am sure a great number started to believe in this man of miracles. To them, He had to be divine, for no ordinary person could do such magnificent exploits. But Jesus quickly draws his disciples aside and tells them something they don't really want to hear or understand: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.

As followers of Jesus, we like to hear about his miracles, that He is the Messiah and above life's vicissitudes. But, we really don't want to hear He will be betrayed and fall into the clutches of mere men. As humans we know what it means to be in the clutches of men or under the burdens of life. We know what it means to be sick, to have glitches in our lives. We understand susceptibility to the vicissitudes of life. We find no victory in those things: we want deliverance. We want the little white house with the white picket fence and all of the comforts and joy it symbolizes: the joy of family, companionship, warmth, and happiness. We want healthy bodies and substantial and sustaining relationships of love. This is what we want, and this is what Jesus' followers wanted in that day. But Jesus told them, You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. We say to ourselves, surely that cannot be my life. My life is supposed to be a blessed and blissful existence. Doesn't God take care of his children, his redeemed ones? We answer ourselves with, Sure He does. Of course He does. Yet we wonder.

Jesus was with his family of believers on his last day of freedom. At that time, they were probably fairly happy as they partook of a meal together. But Jesus would be betrayed that night. The vicissitudes of life would fall full force upon his head. He would be given over to the hands of mere men, and they would TAKE HIS LIFE. But that is not the end of the story, and that is not the end of our story when we are betrayed by life. Another chapter will be written for all Christians, and it is written in blood, the redeeming blood of the Lamb. The last chapter is about victory, about eternity. The last line ends with assurance: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4) The final chapter is titled: HOME, the place we have been seeking. As Abraham, Moses, David, and all who went before us, this is also the place they have been seeking: home with God.

Jesus told the disciples: Yes, this miracle was great, but I am not home yet, for I will be betrayed, given over to men. You will question whether you followed the right person, sought the right answer, BUT THERE WILL BE A DAY WHEN ALL IS CLEAR. THERE WILL BE A DAY WHEN YOU STAND IN FULL REVELATION, FOR YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE. This is the hope of Christianity, our hope in Christ: not deliverance from every trial and vicissitude of life, but that someday we will be with Him. There every tear and all fear and anxiety is wiped away, death does not reign, and crying and pain cease. This is home. Until then the Spirit teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:12-14)