Luke 9:22, "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."
The Lord Jesus told his disciples ahead of time that he would suffer, be rejected by the religious leaders, and would be killed. On the third day he would be raised from the dead. The Lord knows the end from the beginning.
As disciples of the Lord Jesus we will also face suffering and persecution in our lives. We are not any better than the Master. If the Lord endured such hardship for us, then we also are called to participate in the afflictions of the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:8.
Heavenly Father, you see everything from the beginning to the end. You knew what you would face in being rejected and killed upon the cross. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all you did to save me and provide forgiveness of sins and redemption through your blood. Lord, I realize that being in Christ means I will face similar types of afflictions, not on the same scale as the Lord Jesus, but in the same way. Help me to be always ready to suffer and to participate in the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Amen.
