Preparing to Die

INTRODUCTION

We are returning to our study of the gospel of Mark

Please take your Bible and turn to Mark 9:30-32

The text that we’re looking at this morning occurs here and in Matthew 17:22-23 and Luke 9:43-45

I am going to read all three accounts as one from John MacArthur’s book, “One Perfect Life.”

Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.

Now while they were staying in Galilee, while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He taught His disciples and said to them,

“Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him.

And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”

And they were exceedingly sorrowful, even though they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

Everyone is going to die—maybe today, tomorrow, next week, or years from now

The timing is uncertain, but the reality is not

Death is unavoidable

It began with the Fall

God warned Adam and Eve that if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would surely die (Genesis 2:16–17)

They disobeyed, and death entered the world—first spiritually, then physically

That death sentence has been passed down to all humanity

Paul writes in Romans 5:12,

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—”

Adam stood as the representative of the human race

When he sinned, all sinned in Him

His guilt became our guilt

His judgment became our judgment

Romans 5:18–19 says:

“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men… For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners…”

Sin came through Adam

Death came through sin

All people are born sinners—not just by what they do, but by who they are in Adam

Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 15:22:

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”

Even David recognized this inherited sin nature:

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5).

We are not sinners because we sin—we sin because we are sinners

From birth, every person stands in need of the life and righteousness that only Christ can give

On Monday, someone I’ve often spoken about—my hero in the faith—went home to heaven

John MacArthur has been a profound influence in my Christian life from the very beginning

His teaching shaped my understanding of Scripture and played a significant role in my call to ministry

I’ve always aspired to handle God’s Word with the same clarity, conviction, and faithfulness that he did

At the same time, someone else dear to me is nearing the end of her earthly journey—my sister, Tina

She was recently diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable cancer

According to her daughter, the cancer has already spread and will soon take her life

So let me ask you—are you ready to die?

Death is inevitable

We cannot avoid it, but we can be prepared for it

And in today’s passage, we see how Jesus Himself prepared His disciples for the reality of His own death—and in doing so, He teaches us how to face ours

Mark begins in verse 30 with…

A Private Retreat (v.30)

“From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it.”

Withdrawal from Public Ministry

Jesus is now avoiding crowds, miracles, and confrontation with religious leaders

His Galilean ministry is ending—the cross is coming into focus

“From there” – likely refers to the region near Caesarea Philippi (cf. Mark 8:27–29) and the area near Mount Hermon, where the Transfiguration occurred (Mark 9:2)

“Began to go through Galilee” – This is Jesus’ final journey through Galilee. He is making His way toward Jerusalem and the cross (cf. Luke 9:51)

“He did not want anyone to know” – deliberate seclusion for the sake of private instruction

Jesus withdrew at other times to instruct His disciples

Mark 6:31, “And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)”

In those moments Jesus taught His disciples:

About parables - Matthew 13:10-11, 36; Mark 4:33-34

About End Times (the Olivet discourse) - Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36

About Servanthood - Mark 9:33-37; John 13:12-17; Luke 22:24-27

About The Coming of the Holy Spirit - John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:7-15

About Abiding in Him - John 15:1-11

About Love - John 13:34-35; 15:12-13, 17; Mat.5:43-48

About Persecution - John 15:18-21; 16:1-4; Mat.10:16-25

About Prayer - Luke 11:1-4; Mat.6:5-13

About the Cost of Discipleship - Luke 14:25-33

About the Kingdom of God - Acts 1:3 (post-resurrection instruction over 40 days)

Intentional Focus on the Disciples

Jesus isn’t withdrawing out of fear, but out of purpose

He’s preparing His disciples, not escaping His mission

The first place where Jesus spoke of His death and resurrection to His disciples is in Mark 8:31 (c.f., Mat.16:21; Lk.9:22)

This followed Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah)

This is the first explicit announcement of Jesus’ coming death and resurrection to His disciples

Prior to this, He had hinted at opposition and rejection, but not with such clarity and directness

There were other times where He alluded to His death and resurrection

John 2:19-21 - destroy this temple

Matthew 12:39-40 - the sign of Jonah

Matthew 9:15 - the bridegroom taken away

John 12:23-24 - the grain of wheat must die

Matthew 26:2 - at the last supper

Matthew 26:38-39 at Gethsemane

The Old Testament spoke of the Messiah suffering

Isaiah 53:3-6 - the suffering Servant

Psalm 22:1, 16-18 - the crucifixion foretold

Zechariah 12:10 -pierced for sin

The Old Testament spoke of the Messiah’s resurrection

Psalm 16:10 - not abandoned to the grave (quoted in Acs 2:27)

Jonah 1:17 - three days and three nights

Matthew 12:39-41 - Jesus referred to Jonah

A Personal Lesson (v.31)

“For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, ‘The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.’”

Repeated Teaching with Clarity

“He was teaching” – Greek: didaskō (ongoing)

This was not a one-time conversation; He repeated this truth often (cf. Mark 8:31; 10:33–34).

Luke 24:6-8 shows they later remembered these words

Jesus always taught with clarity and purpose, even when the subject was difficult

The Identity of the Sufferer: “The Son of Man”

Messianic title from Daniel 7:13–14, pointing to both His humanity and His divine authority

Jesus uses this exalted title to describe His humiliation, not His glory (Mark 8:31; 10:33, 45)

The Nature of His Death

“Is to be delivered” – paradidotai (present passive)

The divine passive: God is sovereign and ultimately the one delivering Him up (Acts 2:23; Rom.8:32; Isa.53:6,10), yet human agents (Judas, the leaders) are still responsible

Foreshadowing Judas’ betrayal (Mark 14:10), yet ultimately according to the plan of God (Acts 2:23)

“They will kill Him” – plain and certain. Not a metaphor. Not a possibility. A divine necessity (Mark 10:45)

“He will rise three days later” – future tense, a promise of victory, yet regularly missed or misunderstood (cf. John 20:9)

Application: Jesus knew what awaited Him—and still He walked toward it, teaching others about its purpose. That’s how He prepared to die.

Quote (MacArthur): “The cross was not a miscalculation; it was the mission.”

A Paralyzing Reaction (v.32)

“But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.”

Persistent Confusion

“Did not understand” – Greek: agnoeō (to be ignorant, unaware).

The idea isn’t that they didn’t hear Him—it’s that they could not accept what they heard

Despite repeated predictions, they expected a conquering Messiah, not a suffering one

Their theology of glory (Messiah conquers Rome) could not yet accommodate a theology of the cross (Messiah suffers and dies).

This reflected the Jewish expectation of a triumphant Messiah (John 12:34), not one who would die

Cross-reference: Luke 9:45 – “It was concealed from them.”

The truth was both hidden by God’s timing and hindered by their pride.

Fearful Silence

“Afraid to ask Him” – Why?

Maybe fear of being rebuked again (cf. Mark 8:33).

Or fear of what His answer would mean for them.

Illustration: Like children hearing their parent talk about something scary (illness, job loss), they understand enough to be afraid—but not enough to ask questions.

Quote (John Calvin): “Their ignorance was not merely from dullness, but from prejudice. Their minds were so preoccupied with earthly glory that the shame of the cross made no sense to them.”

Application: Don’t let fear keep you from understanding what God is doing. Ask. Seek. Knock. (cf. James 1:5)

Future Understanding

Luke 24:6–8 – “Remember how He spoke to you… that the Son of Man must be delivered…”

Luke 24:25–27, 44–46 – “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things…?”

John 2:22 – “When He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered…”

CONCLUSION: How Jesus Prepared to Die

He retreated - not to escape, but to focus on eternal priorities

He instructed – not in vague riddles, but in plain, hard truth

He endured misunderstanding – with patience, continuing His mission anyway

Gospel Call:

Jesus was not caught off guard by His death—He prepared for it. He embraced it.

He died not for Himself, but for sinners—for you. Are you prepared to live in the light of His death and resurrection?

Are You Ready to Meet God?

Do you believe that Jesus is Lord?

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

The Bible doesn't speak of Jesus simply as Savior - but as Lord. Saving faith submits to His rule.

Have you repented of your sin?

"Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)

Repentance means turning from your sin and rebellion against God. Have you had a heart change?

Are you trusting in Christ alone - not in your good works?

"By grace you have been saved through faith... not as a result of works." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Many trust their goodness, church attendance, or baptism. True salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Has your life shown the fruit of new birth?

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature..." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

A changed life doesn't earn salvation - but it shows that salvation has truly occurred.

Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ?

"If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed." (1 Corinthians 16:22)

The saved love Christ. Do you love Him, desire Him, and treasure Him?

Do you understand why Jesus died on the cross?

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf..." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus bore the wrath of God in your place. This is the heart of the gospel: penal substitution.

Have you ever cried out to God for mercy?

"God, be merciful to me, the sinner!" (Luke 18:13)

Are You Ready to Meet God?

Have you ever come broken before God, knowing you deserve His judgment - and begged for His mercy?

If you stood before God and He asked, 'Why should I let you into heaven?' - what would you say?

There is only one right answer: 'Because of Christ - His righteousness, His cross, and His resurrection.'

Would you like to call on Christ now to save you?

"Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

Confess your sin, believe on Christ, surrender your life to Him. Don't delay.

The Gospel in Summary

God is holy, just, and will judge sin.

You have sinned and are deserving of eternal punishment.

Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died on the cross bearing God's wrath for sinners, and rose again.

You must repent and believe - turning from sin and trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)

Don't Trust a Moment - Trust a Master.

You're not saved because you prayed a prayer. You're saved if your trust is in the risen Christ - and your life will show it (John 10:27-28).

Let’s pray