Chapter 60—The Law of the New Kingdom
This chapter is based on
Matthew 20:20-28
;
Mark 10:32-45
;
Luke
18:31-34
.
The time of the Passover was drawing near, and again Jesus turned
toward Jerusalem. In His heart was the peace of perfect oneness with
the Father’s will, and with eager steps He pressed on toward the place
of sacrifice. But a sense of mystery, of doubt and fear, fell upon the
disciples. The Saviour “went before them: and they were amazed; and
as they followed, they were afraid.”
Again Christ called the twelve about Him, and with greater definite-
ness than ever before, He opened to them His betrayal and sufferings.
“Behold,” He said, “we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are writ-
ten by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and
spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge Him, and
put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again. And they
understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them,
neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
Had they not just before proclaimed everywhere, “The kingdom
of heaven is at hand”? Had not Christ Himself promised that many
should sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of
God? Had He not promised to all who had left aught for His sake a
hundredfold in this life, and a part in His kingdom? And had He not
given to the twelve the special promise of positions of high honor in
His kingdom,—to sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel?
Even now He had said that all things written in the prophets concerning
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Him should be fulfilled. And had not the prophets foretold the glory
of the Messiah’s reign? In the light of these thoughts, His words in
regard to betrayal, persecution, and death seemed vague and shadowy.
Whatever difficulties might intervene, they believed that the kingdom
was soon to be established.
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