AND JESUS WENT BEFORE THEM

Mark 10:32-34

Introduction:

Since the day Jesus began His earthly ministry and called His disciples to follow Him, He had tried to help them see exactly Who He was. They believed that He was a great teacher. They believed that He was a great prophet. They believed that He was a man of God. They may have even believed, on some level, that He was the promised Messiah.

They believed that their leader, their rabbi, Jesus, was going to deliver their nation from the domination of Rome. They believed that Jesus was going to restore Israel to its former greatness. They believed that He would be the King of Israel. And, they were right. They were just mistaken about the timing.

The disciples believed that these things were about to happen in their lifetimes. They believed that Jesus was on the verge of establishing His kingdom in the world. They failed to understand the truth that God was up to something much greater than that.

On two previous occasions Jesus had tried to tell His men that He was sent to this world to die.

The first Jesus told them about His approaching death was in Mark 8:31. On that occasion Peter rebuked the Lord and could not grasp what Jesus was trying to tell them.

On the second occasion, Mark 9:31, they were all confounded by what Jesus said and could not get their minds around it.

The Jews were looking for the Messiah, but they were looking for a military leader, not a man who gets Himself executed. They simply could not comprehend the truth that Messiah would have to die to accomplish His divine mission on earth.

So, once again, Jesus tells His men what is about to take place. He gives them the clearest and most detailed statement about His impending death.

This occurred as Jesus and His men were walking toward Jerusalem. Verse 32 says, “…and Jesus went before them.” It was common for a rabbi to walk ahead of his disciples. It was common for the rabbi to walk in front, all alone. That is where we find the Lord. As He leads the way, Jesus gives His followers some very important information. I want to share the contents of His message with you today.

In this passage, we see Jesus, out in front, leading His men. We see Jesus going where no other man could go; about to do what no other man could do. We see Jesus blazing the trail for all who will receive Him by faith.

I want to point out the divisions of this text today. I want you to see Jesus And His Focus; Jesus And His Followers and Jesus And His Future.

I want to preach on “And Jesus Went Before Them.”

I. JESUS AND HIS FOCUS-VS. 32

(Ill. The phrase “and Jesus went before them” is in the present tense. This phrase has the idea that “Jesus kept going and going”, as He lead the way for them. It is the picture of a man whose face is set. It is picture of a man whose mind is made up. It is the picture of a man who is determined to go somewhere and who refuses to be distracted from his mission. It is a picture of a man who has His mind made up.

That is the Savior in these verses. He has His mind fixed on some things and He is determined to carry out His mission. What is He focused on?)

A. He Was Focused On A Place

The Bible says “they were in the way going up to Jerusalem”.

They were headed to the capital of Israel. They were going to the place where the Temple resided. They were traveling the same road walked by pilgrims on their way to sacrifice. They were walking the same path and millions of others had walked down through the centuries. They were headed to a specific place.

I am convinced that Jesus had His mind on a little hill just outside the city gates. I am almost sure that His focus was on a hill called Golgotha; a place we call Calvary.

His mind was on the hill where Abraham offered up his son Isaac to the Lord, Gen. 22. His mind was on the place where He would offer Himself up as the final, perfect, eternal sacrifice for sin and sinners.

Calvary was His goal. (Ill. Mark 10:45; Phil. 2:5-8)

Mark 10:45 KJV 1900

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

B. He Was Focused On A Plan

Jesus knew that when He arrived at Calvary an ages old plan would be accomplished. Jesus knew that at Calvary the prophecies of the prophets would be fulfilled. Jesus knew that at Calvary the just demands of a holy God would be met. Jesus knew that when the events that would take place on Calvary were accomplished, God Almighty would be satisfied and lost sinners could be saved.

Lest you misunderstand, the cross and the death of Jesus were not some unfortunate accident. The death of Jesus on the cross was not “Plan B”. The death of Jesus was planned long before this world was ever created, 1 Pet. 1:19-20; Rev. 13:8.

1 Peter 1:19–20 KJV 1900

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Revelation 13:8 KJV 1900

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

His death was promised to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Gen. 3:15.

His death on the cross would fully, eternally, and perfectly pay for the sins all those who would place their faith in Him, Heb. 10:4, 11-14; 9:12-14, 28.

Hebrews 10:4 KJV 1900

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

As Jesus made His way toward Jerusalem, the plan of salvation was on His mind. He was headed there to fully deal with sin, and nothing would stand in His way!

C. He Was Focused On A People

It wasn’t just a place and an plan that had the Lord’s attention that day; His mind was also focused on a people.

Before He was born the angel told Joseph, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins,” Matt. 1:21. Jesus came to this world with some people on His mind. Who?

· All those who would believe on Him and be saved-

John 1:12 KJV 1900

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

· All those who would be given to Him by the Father-

John 6:37 KJV 1900

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

He had His mind on all those who bow before the Father and confess Jesus as their Savior. He died for all those who would believe the Gospel message!

Jesus and His focus

II. JESUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS-VS. 32

(Ill. These verses do not simply talk about the Savior. They also tell us something of the mindset of His men.

We are told that they are “amazed”. This word means “to be astonished or frightened.” We are also told that they were “afraid”. This is the word “phobeo”. We get the word “phobia” from it. It means “to be put to flight; to be seized with alarm”.

There was something in our Lord’s demeanor that caused His men to be filled with fear. There was something about the resolve in the eyes of Jesus that filled his men with fear.

A. The Reason For Their Fears

The disciples are afraid for Jesus, and for themselves, because they know the Jewish leaders hate Jesus. Jesus has had several bitter encounters with the Jewish religious leaders.

Why did the religious leaders hate Jesus so much?

His miracles

His claims to be the Son of God

He raised Lazarus from the dead

He came to fulfill the promises of the Old Testament

They tried to talk Him out of going.

John 11:8 KJV 1900

8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

Of course, Isaiah predicted the Messiah would be focused, Isa. 50:7.

Isaiah 50:7 KJV 1900

7 For the Lord God will help me; Therefore shall I not be confounded: Therefore have I set my face like a flint, And I know that I shall not be ashamed.

The disciples are afraid for Jesus, but they are also afraid for themselves! This is not what they signed up for. They followed Him because they believed that He was the Messiah. They followed Him because they believed that He was about to establish His kingdom. They followed Him because they thought they would reign with Him. Now it appears as though they will die with Him and they are afraid.

B. The Resolve In Their Fears

Even though they are afraid; even though they can’t talk Jesus out of going to Jerusalem; and even though they want to run away, they continue to follow Him. What a testimony that is! They were resolved to follow Jesus even if it meant that they would die with Him. Their feelings are summed up by Thomas in John 11:16, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

(Note: It’s hard to find that kind of resolve today! It seems the least little thing is enough to knock people off course with the Lord. A word spoken out of turn; a little pleasure; a little inconvenience; a little trouble, and the average church member is done with following Jesus.

“I didn’t know it was going to be like this!” “I thought following Jesus would pay off big for me.” “I have to give up too much.” “It just costs too much.” Those are the kinds of things people say today.

Where are the people who will follow Jesus, even if His path leads you to your death? Where are the people who are determined to follow Him regardless of the cost?)

C. The Remedy For Their Fears

Jesus sensed the fear in His men and He took the time to comfort them. That lets me know that His people are important to Him.

(Note: We all deal with fear from time to time. There isn’t a person in this room that doesn’t have questions, doubts and fears in various areas of your life. There are very few true followers of the Lord Jesus who don’t have some fears about where the path God has them walking is headed.

We all have doubts and fears, but we also have a Lord Who cares about what disturbs us-

1 Peter 5:7 KJV 1900

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

He cares; He is concerned; and He invites us to bring our fears to Him, Heb. 4:16; 13:5-6.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV 1900

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 13:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Don’t allow your fears, your doubts and your concerns to derail you. Bring them to Jesus and find a Friend Who is able to help you deal with them all.

2 Corinthians 12:8–10 KJV 1900

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Focus of Jesus

The Followers of Jesus

III. JESUS AND HIS FUTURE-VS. 33-34

(Ill. As Jesus spoke to His men there on the road to Jerusalem, His words were not what they wanted to hear. Jesus tells them in very clear terms what is about to happen to Him at Jerusalem.

A. His Future Involved Rejection

The leaders of the Jews would make a final rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, John 1:11.

John 1:11 KJV 1900

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Their Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin, would condemn Him as a common criminal and sentence Him to die, Matt. 26:63-66. The Jews, the very people He came to save, would turn Him over to the Gentiles/Romans so they could put Him to death.

B. His Future Involved Ridicule

Even as He died, the crowds around the cross would mock the Son of God and ridicule Him as He died. Ill the scene: The guards of the High Priest mocked Him, Matt. 26:67-68; The soldiers of Pilate mocked Him, John 19:1-5; The crowds mocked Him - Matt. 27:39-44.

C. His Future Involved Revenge

They took the Son of God and they scourged Him. They bent Him over a low pole and they beat His back with a Roman cat of nine tails, John 19:1. Many people died from this act alone.

Then they spit in the face of Jesus and ripped the bread from His face, Isa. 50:6. Then they nailed the King of Glory to a Roman cross, where He hung for six agonizing hours before He died. They removed the dead body of the Lord Jesus from that cross and buried Him in a borrowed tomb, John 19:31-42.

D. His Future Involved Resurrection!!!

Three days after the King died on the cross, He got up from the dead!

Romans 1:4 KJV 1900

4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Jesus freely laid down His life and He had the power to take up that life again-

John 10:18 KJV 1900

18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus got up that third day never to die again-

Revelation 1:18 KJV 1900

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

You see, Jesus went before us! He endured the wrath of God on the cross, before us. He rose from the dead, before us. He has paved the way for us and if we will simply follow Him by faith, we will enjoy His perfect, eternal salvation and we will experience peace with God.

Are you saved today?

Conclusion:

Jesus still will lead the way for us, if we are willing to follow Him.

Jesus led the way! Like a Good Shepherd, He walked before His flock, taking care of every need in advance. He has cleared the way for His people.

He came to this world with a single goal. He came to accomplish our salvation. He did this when He died on the cross and rose again from the dead. He went where we could not go and did what we could not do so that we might receive what only He can give us.

Here is the invitation:

1. Do you need to be saved today? If you are lost and you understand that Jesus died for you and rose again, please come to Him and be saved today.

2. Do you have fears and worries in your walk with the Lord? Bring them to Him today. He cares and He can help.

3. Do you want to bow before Him and thank Him for His unspeakable gift of love? Do you want to thank Him for saving your soul?

Whatever the need, He is the supply. Get to Him today!