Can You Hear Me Now?

 

And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 20:17-19 ESV).

 

“Can you hear me now” — that was the phrase we used to use often in the early days of cell phones. The connection would “cut out” due to spotty coverage and you’d ask “can you hear me now” before resuming the conversation. Well, Verizon stole that and every time their “Test Man” asked it, he waited a beat and then said “Good.” It was a genius marketing campaign that netted millions of dollars in new customers for their company. I wonder if Jesus wanted to ask the same thing of His disciples in some of His teachings!

 

On the journey to Jerusalem Jesus predicts that his death will take place there. It will include betrayal and condemnation by the religious leaders of his people. Those who should be welcoming him as the promised Messiah will instead sentence him to suffering and death, handing him over to mocking, flogging, and crucifixion by the Romans.

 

Then Jesus also predicted that he would rise again! But it seems that after hearing the predictions about Jesus’ suffering and death, the disciples somehow tuned out. It’s as if they missed hearing the promise that “on the third day” he would be “raised to life!” When the time came and Jesus died on a cross, the disciples were a despondent group of followers wondering what had happened. They scattered in fear, leaving the burial and preparations to others. (cf. Matthew 26:56; 27:45-28:10.) There was no expectation of Jesus’ coming to life again!

 

I wonder if we are any different. We hear dire economic warnings or a doctor’s frightening diagnosis, and we forget Jesus’ words: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). We experience ridicule or rejection and forget that Scripture warns that we may be called to share in Christ’s sufferings (cf. John 15:18-20; Romans 8:17). This Lent make an intentional commitment to listen. There’s nothing wrong with the “cell service” between us and our Lord. We serve a risen Savior!