Plain

This next section of the journey of Jesus shows a turn from figures of speech to plainness. Jesus is becoming more direct, at least with the Twelve. He had always taken them aside and explained the meaning of parables and figures He used. He deliberately couched His public speaking in less direct speech. But, now he "began" to speak plainly (Mark 8:32). He lays out the heart of the plan of God in some detail as recorded here and perhaps in more detail than was recorded. He tells them where the action of the near future must happen, i.e. Jerusalem. He tells them who will do the deed, i.e. the chief priest, elders and scribes. These are the elite of the Jewish ruling class. He tells them He must suffer "many things" at their hands. He tells them he will be killed by them. He tells them He will be raised, specifically on the third day. This is the historical facts of the gospel and the earthly correspondence to the heavenly will of God. This plain message has been in the mind of God before the creation of the world (Eph.1). This plan has been carefully crafted by a wise and holy God who has in mind the salvation of the world. And, now Jesus Christ, the Son of Man lays it out plainly to some Jewish commoners who were ill prepared to hear it. This plan was what the ancients longed to look into and angels long to see. Now in a remote part of Israel miles and days from Jerusalem Jesus tells a group of fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and even the one who will betray Him to death how things will play out.

Jesus is demonstrating a freedom of speech, a confidence, a frankness and openness that is like a splash of cold water on a winter's morning. He suddenly adjusts the telescope of prophetic history to a precision that brings the plan of God into clear focus. He gives each apostle a turn to look through the eyepiece that portrays the future. They hear the words. "Rejection!" "Suffering!" "Killed!" Why must these words be in the plan? Why all this "bad news" in the name of "good news?" Surely, Jesus must have known He was scaring them. Surely it was not clear that they could handle the truth. But, He is their friend and a friend tells another friend His business. The hard to face things in life must be laid out plainly. I have had the responsibility of telling a parent that their child has died. How do you do this? Plainly. There is no way to sugar coat it. Jesus told the apostles plainly that Lazarus is dead (John 11:14). You come out with it. You speak boldly. You don't beat around the bush. The commander has to tell his troops the truth. Many of you, perhaps all of you, may not come home. The doctor tells the patient plainly that there is a possibility they may not survive the surgery but they will surely die if they do not have the surgery. Harsh realities are hard to face. You just have to come out with it.

Jesus will have some harsh realities for the disciples too. He will tell them about the roles they will play in the drama. He will speak to them of betrayal, denial, rejection, retreat, but also of resurrection and victory. There is the other side of harsh realities. There is hope and because of that hope we can speak with boldness and confidence (2 Cor.3:12). I tell you plainly that there is a heaven and a hell, and there is one savior and one way, and that you will die, and that you will stand before God your judge, and that you do not have all the time in the world, and that all of this is real.