Page 8 - November 2022 - Truth & Tidings

rawing toward the conclusion of face like a flint” (Isa 50:7 ESV).
the Itinerary of the Perfect Servant The disciples were “amazed; and as they
D(8:22-10:52), we should remind followed, they were afraid” (Mar 10:32). It
ourselves of the Lord’s emphasis on His may be that along with the set of the Lord’s
impending sufferings. On three occasions face came the first inkling that the Lord’s
He took the disciples aside to speak of His prior predictions of suffering needed to be
suffering (8:31-33; 9:30-32; 10:32-34). We seriously considered. Gathering them to
have arrived at the third and most detailed Himself, He again described His coming
of these and hope to show how the lessons rejection. At Jerusalem, that privileged
from previous occasions are summarised city, He would be rejected. Betrayal, arrest,
by the Lord in this final one. unjust condemnation, Roman custody,
The Cross and Glory and Greatness mockery, scourging, spitting, execution
(10:32-44) – and resurrection – awaited Him there.
The Lord “took again the twelve, and None of these details would cause Him to
waver in His service for God. Within these
began to tell them what things should few verses the Lord’s courage, exemplary
happen unto him” (v32). leadership, prophetic instruction, com-
1
The Predictions (vv32-34) plete submission and confidence in God
They were “in the way going up to are all demonstrated. Here the Perfect
Jerusalem” (v32). This “way” had com- Servant fulfils in spirit what Isaiah had
menced with their confession of Jesus as foretold: “I was not rebellious, neither
“the Christ” (8:27-30) and would conclude turned away back. I gave my back to
at the cross. As they travelled, “Jesus went the smiters, and my cheeks to them that
plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from
before them.” Only the Lord understood shame and spitting” (Isa 50:5-6).
fully what lay ahead for Him, yet He was
inflexible in His determination to accom- The Conversations (vv35-45)
plish God’s will and finish His work. In James and John approached the Lord to
Isaiah’s third Servant Song (which cor- speak about Glory (vv35-40). They were
responds with this section of Mark), the cousins of the Lord and, along with Peter,
Perfect Servant declares, “I have set my they formed a privileged group whom the
¹ Scripture quotations in this article are from the Lord chose to accompany Him on special
KJV unless otherwise noted. occasions. Their confidence in the mes-

328 TRUTH kTidings November 2022