They will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again. Mark 10:34
Jesus’ death was the final sacrifice that paid the debt of sin for all. His death was the ultimate purpose of His ministry. Jesus predicted His death and resurrection at least three times in the gospels. Today’s verse describes the third time. He spoke to his disciples as they were heading up toward Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus was going to Jerusalem so that every prophecy of the Old Testament might be fulfilled, and He told his disciples that the scribes and the priests are going to condemn Him to death but deliver Him to the Gentiles (Roman soldiers) to do the job. It was Roman soldiers who put on the purple robe and mocked saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews.’ They will scourge Him; it was the Roman soldiers that laid the thirty-nine stripes on Him. They shall spit upon Him and shall kill Him. “But the third day, He will rise again.” However, the disciples misunderstood, as they were still thinking about the earthly kingdom and power.
As Jesus looks ahead, He’s not only fully aware of His suffering and death, but He also knows that He will not remain in the grave, after three days He will rise again. Jesus knew that His suffering and death would accomplish forgiveness and salvation for all who will believe. He endured the cross for the joy set before Him. The call to follow Jesus is a high and costly calling. Yet we can follow Jesus, even in the hardest circumstances, knowing that just as He rose, we will also be raised. We may suffer and sacrifice much in this life, but we can look forward to eternal life – the joy set before us.