You Know
by Hugh DeLong
After telling the Apostles what would happen with the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the judgment that would come with His coming again, He said to them: "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion" (Matthew 26:2)
How did they know this? He told them – many times. Recorded in Matthew: He would be three days in the heart of the earth (like Jonah in the fish) (Matthew 12:39-40). After the transfiguration, He instructed them not to tell anyone until He “had been raised from the dead” (Matthew 17:9, 12). After James and John's misguided request, he explained that He "had come to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). This is how they knew.
But Jesus wasn’t finished yet! Here in Matthew 26:12, he spoke of Mary, who had "prepared him for his burial." Later, in instructing them concerning the Lord’s Supper and its meaning, he spoke of the cup (the fruit of the vine) ‘which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins' (26:26-29). On the way to Gethsemane, He quoted from Zechariah 13:7 that "the shepherd would be struck," and He then added that “after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."
We could add more by reading Luke and John, but isn’t this enough? No! Well, it doesn’t appear to be enough, for when it happened, and He was crucified and put in the tomb, they struggled. They abandoned Him! All of them abandoned Him. Then, when He appeared after His resurrection, and the report was given to them, they still didn’t believe it.
Even our being told (by reading or hearing the above), when trouble comes into our lives, our faith may waver! Some turn and walk no more with Jesus. Others, with the help and encouragement of fellow believers, weather the storm and remain faithful. What will it be with you? We have been warned that in the world we will have trouble (John 16:33). Paul warned that “all who would live godly will suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12). Our knowing must produce trust – trust in the greater promises of Jesus. Knowing is not believing, and believing is not trusting.
Are you trusting Jesus?
