Jesus Predicted His Death by Pastor Welty

We are all going to die; it's 100% guaranteed.  The only exception is if we live until Christ returns,  but if we don't,  we are going to die - count on it. 

 Benjamin Franklin in speaking of our  Constitution  said that it has "an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

 Woody Allen was quoted as saying:   "I'm not afraid to die.  I just don't want to be there when it happens."  Our own death, however, is an event that we will be required to attend.

 But death, at times, seems rather random.   Every day when I read the newspaper, I check the obituaries.  I want to know if anyone I know has passed away.  As I read them, occasionally I read these words,  “died unexpectedly “,  a terrible reminder that someone's life was cut short by a tragic accident, an overdose or suicide.

 I'll never forget May 9, 1996, when my friend Dave Kish, a test pilot at Sikorsky, was killed in a test flight.  He left home that beautiful spring morning like he always did, having no idea that he would not return.

 I also remember April 22, 2005 when my friend Andy Petronio as killed in a head on car accident coming home from work.  Or December 4, 2007  when my friend and mentor, Norm Shirk went out hunting with his son and grandson and died of a sudden heart attack. 

 And Beth will never forget October 27, 1997 when her first husband, Bob, went to play basketball with his friends and collapsed on the court and later died from a previously undetected heart malady.

 None of these men had any idea that that would be their last day of life.

 You might be asking, "Pastor Jim, why are you writing such a sad blog?"   The message is that none of us know when our time will come.  James asked the poignant question: What is your life? ... you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  James 4:14

It is a grace that we don't know the time of our demise.  It would be very hard to live day to day with that ominous thought hanging over our heads.  But that's exactly how Jesus lived.  His death was not unexpected.  He knew that He was going to die a horrible, painful death.  It's not clear at what point in His life he became fully aware of that reality.  But He did know.   Jesus' words in Mark 10:45 remind us of that.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus lived under a tremendous burden during His life.  But as we'll see from the gospels, He predicted His death repeatedly to His followers.  Perhaps he was trying to prepare them for what was ahead or perhaps He needed to process it with those closest to him although clearly they didn't understand what He meant.

 During the weeks leading up to Easter, we're going to look at those predictions of His death and hopefully understand and appreciate more than ever the great sacrifice He made for us. 

Three of these predictions are clear and direct and four of them are more subtle, but the message is clear.  Jesus knew that His mission was to give His life away for us.