JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Matthew 20:17-19.

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life.”

When Jesus talked like this, the disciples were clearly taken out of their comfort zones. His words caused them to be confused, to grieve, or even to rebuke Jesus for talking like that. But Jesus knew what He was talking about, and His predictions happened exactly according to plan.

Although the cross is a painful part of Jesus’ journey, it was necessary for God’s plan to save us from our sins. His resurrection was also necessary for our ultimate victory over death.

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust in God’s salvation plan in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com