Matthew 16:21–23 (ESV)
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting
your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
This is the first prediction in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus accurately predicted
his death, how he would die, and his resurrection… three times. Once should have been enough, but he predicts it three different times. Ok, let’s be real… predicting your death is not that hard. If I wanted
to die on a certain day, I can make that happen. The Lord would not be happy with me for taking matters into my own hands, but never-the-less… it can be done. I can even see predicting how you will die being in the realms of possibilities.
But the resurrection part… on the third day! As a pastor, I am often performing a funeral on the third day, though that would be quick. But… can doctors today save someone who has been dead for three days? No! That
resurrection on the third day… that is the impossible part... even with today’s medical technology. Jesus said “21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and
suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” David Koresh in the Waco stand-off (April 19, 1993), made a similar prediction. He failed.
I pray: Lord, thank You for being willing to suffer and die that I might be forgiven. Lead me to speak Your Word aright. Amen.