I'm Going to Die, Get Ready

Matthew 20:19 - "And they will hand him over to the Gentiles and he will be mocked and scourged and crucified but on the third day he will be raised."

Of course 'they' refers to the Jewish authorities, the chief priests and scribes. And they will do this because Jesus is gaining a following and threatening their power. If they cannot control him, the Gentiles will kill them. Just like those in power do still. I'm specifically thinking of the Republicans and Russia vis-a-vis Hillary Clinton. McConnell, Ryan, Comey and Putin are modern day Romans, all of whom would gladly scourged and crucified her as well as mocking her if it were somehow legal. She's not a Christ figure, but the parallel with her large following threatened those in power in the same way as Jesus' large following did. People in power generally want to stay there. This particular bunch in the White House resembles the Jewish leaders in their zealousness to have Hillary defeated.

Of course 'Gentiles' here refers to the Roman Empire, who had their own reasons to crucify Christ. It's not put that way in the gospels, but Jesus was certainly a threat to Rome in the region and was executed for sedition. He claimed to be a king, after all. They were afraid he would lead people away from being "Good Roman Citizens." He was executed as an example to others.

So, he's letting them know for the third time a> what is going to happen and b> that he has accepted this. He doesn't like it, but there's no evidence he will fight back. He doesn't say so, but perhaps he doesn't want his disciples fighting it either. Remember how Peter turned on Jesus the first time he told them this. They probably still don't understand it, especially that bit about the third day being raised up, but they know enough not to question Jesus on this point.

Do they still think Jesus' kingdom will be an earthly kingdom? Do they think God is going to come down and help Jesus overthrow the yoke of the Roman Empire? Or are they just keeping quiet. Delores  S. Williams reminds us that "not all slaves were freed." Not everyone has a good outcome. Are they hoping for a better outcome than what they are imagining? Our imaginations are limited in comparison to God's own. Remember Moltmann - hope that we can see from where we are isn't hope, it's just a project. Hope requires that we cannot yet see the way from here to there. Paul makes this same point.

I digress. Jesus tells them this third time making it clear that this is going to happen while they are in Jerusalem. As I wrote earlier, he's preparing them for what will come next and for their lives after that. Jesus is always preparing, asking us to go further. If Jesus came down today and told you what would happen in the next week, what do you think he would say? I think I'll meditate on that today.
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