“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” Mark 9:31b
The pivotal point in history is also the loneliest. Old Testament scriptures foretold the birth, suffering, death, resurrection and glory of the Messiah. The Prophet Daniel even recorded the exact day of Messiah’s coming.
“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision and to anoint the Most Holy Place. Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus six-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One (Messiah the Prince KJV)—comes.” Daniel 9:24-25
When Artaxerxes Longimanus issued the edict to Nehemiah in 445 B.C. ordering him to return and rebuild Jerusalem, the countdown to Messiah the Prince began. 69 periods of 7 bring us to the time this week’s study in the Gospel of Mark takes place.
The prophecy given to Daniel by the angel Gabriel went on to say
“…the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing…” Daniel 9:26
The pivotal point in history: the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing. The Pharisees and religious leaders were blind to the truth and rejected him. How many times did he say something happened as fulfillment of scripture? Yet they condemned him. He stood alone amidst the hatred.
The Disciples looked for a political prince to change their circumstances. They misunderstood his purpose and slept. He agonized alone in Gethsemane and God sent angels to strengthen him.
Mary of Bethany’s faith honored him. He knew the depth of her personal sacrifice to anoint him with precious oil before he went to the cross alone.
When our sin ravaged his perfect soul, God—who cannot look upon sin—turned away. Jesus paid the sin-price alone.
For our sake he was rejected…doubted…misunderstood…grieved…killed. Because he accomplished salvation by his own shed blood, he has the right to bring us with him. Never again to be alone.
“His Cross is the door by which every member of the human race can enter into the life of God; by His resurrection He has the right to give eternal life to anyone, and by His ascension our Lord entered heaven, keeping the door open for humanity.” Oswald Chambers His Ascension and Our Access
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” John 11:25-26
by Marilyn Allison