Daily Devotional For Sunday, January 11, 2026
Good morning Southside. We are making our way through the Gospel of Matthew, going slowly so that we can gleam from Jesus’ life and learn practical ways to live out our faith. Today, we come to Matthew 20:17-19:
“As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, (18) ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, (19) and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up’” (NASB).
This had to be a downer for the disciples to hear. They are thinking of glory and Jesus is painting a picture of gloom. Jesus’ hour was almost here. He began His journey to Jerusalem where He would be arrested, scourged, go through 6 illegal trials, be crucified and then die. Jesus reminded His disciples of this, something He had previously told them twice (see Matt. 16:21 and Matt. 17:22-23). Jesus knew that once He arrived in Jerusalem, the countdown had begun that would bring about His death. In the same way most of the boys who boarded those amphibious units off shore in Normandy on June 6, 1944 knew that when they landed on the shores, they would probably die. Unfortunately, between June and August, 29,000 of them did.
The difference between this account and the two previous ones, is this is the first time Jesus told them where – Jerusalem and that His death would also come at the hands of some Gentiles. It seems that either they did not grasp what Jesus told them or did not believe it. So, Jesus gave them a reality check.
We can understand why they are struggling to believe this. Crowds were following Jesus constantly, people were singing His praises, miracles were happening to and for them, and now Jesus and the disciples were heading for Jerusalem. This is where the Festival of Passover would soon begin. Since Jewish law required every Jewish adult male to attend, nothing seemed out of the ordinary for them (see Ex. 12:1-28, Lev. 23:4-8 and Deut. 16:1-8). So, it was time for a reality check: The purpose of this trip was to suffer and die, then to rise from the dead. These predictions greatly disturbed the disciples who had every reason to expect a triumphant Jerusalem appearance by their Master.
We are not different from the disciples. We all need reality checks, too. The Christian life is mostly identifying with our suffering Savior. We like to relish in the Resurrection, but there is no Resurrection without Crucifixion on a cross. The road to Jerusalem was no “yellow brick road” to a Messianic kingship over the world. This crown would be one worn by royalty, but one made of thorns signaling death.
The Jewish Supreme Court would condemn Jesus to death, but since they were under Rome, they could not follow through on a death sentence. That would require a Roman ruler to do that. “Gentiles” here refers to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who represented Palestine to Rome. These predictions by Jesus are the Gospels way of letting us know that this was all part of God’s plan from the beginning as we see in Psalm 22:6-8, Isaiah 50:6 and Isaiah 52:13-53:12,
Matthew consistently shows what I call “a pattern of confusion” brought about by a consistent pattern of misunderstanding. In this reminder, Jesus gives more specific information about how His death will occur – mockings, scouragings and crucifixion. Matthew will later give us the proof that this did occur in Matthew 27:27-50.
When we tell someone something several times and do not seem to get it, we may describe them as “not being on the same page.” Sometimes this happens between husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees, and teachers and students. So, to make sure the disciples got it, the text says, “He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves” (vs. 17). Such things as scourgings and crucifixions were common events in their time. They understood what these were and why they happened.
Though Matthew does not give us the disciples’ reaction, Luke does in Luke 18:34, “But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said” (NASB). It may have been like us when the doctor had to give us the bad news from a medical test. We hear what he or she is telling us, but our mind and heart do not want to hear it or believe it.
Assignment: Think back in your life, when was there a time you were not on the same page as someone else? Why did this occur? Did you ever get on the same page and if so, what did it take to get there? There are many things Jesus has said to all of us such as forgiving people who hurt you; serving others who others think are beneath you; being humble and gracious; and etc. Ask the Lord right now – what page is He on in your life that you are not on the same page? When will you choose to get there and what will it take for you to do it?
Scripture To Meditate On: Luke 8:17, “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I do not want to look like “a calf at a new gate” when it comes to doing and accepting Your will. I want to be on the same page with You. Open my eyes to see Your page for my life clearly. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly