As you read Days 34-36 from our Lent Reading plan (40 Days with Jesus), what stands out the most to you and why?

As a little girl, I envisioned the day that I would one day get married and have children. And let me the first to say, nothing turned out the way I pictured it… (I am so glad it didn’t!) While my childhood dreams were based on fairy tales and happily ever afters, reality is often a bit messier. I have now been married for nearly 8 years and have two beautiful daughters, and living through the ups and downs has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. It all happened as it should… the way God intended it to be.

The Jewish people had long awaited their Messiah. They had a picture in their minds of what He would look like and accomplish for their people. They sought after a physical king who would free them from the Roman oppression they were currently enduring. And in the end, the Jewish people would be a great and mighty kingdom, greater than any kingdom that had ever ruled the known earth.

But Jesus was nothing like they pictured.

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. – Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)

As we read through the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, it can be difficult to see the King described in Daniel 7:13-14. Through physical eyes, Jesus was simply an ordinary man. He was no king. But the truth of Jesus victory on the cross and His kingship cannot be seen through physical eyes. And this is made clear through Jesus’ final words leading up to His death.

Mark 14:42-72

“Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” – Mark 14:49 (ESV)

Many aspects of Jesus’ ministry, betrayal, arrest, and ultimately His crucifixion don’t make sense. Judas, one of His disciples would betray Him. Though without sin, Jesus was condemned to die a criminal’s death. And the Jewish people who loved Him and welcomed Him into Jerusalem just days earlier (Mark 11:8-11) now despised Him and wanted Him to die. Why? Why did the events of His life unfold in such a manner?

Jesus answers this very question in today’s reading. The Old Testament told of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It gave details concerning His life and ministry, His death and resurrection, and the victorious impact this would have on mankind as Jesus established His Kingdom as our eternal King. “But let the Scriptures be fulfilled...”

John 18

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” – John 18:36 (ESV)

Jesus’ mission couldn’t be seen with physical eyes because only those with ears to hear and eyes to see could know the truth. You see, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy before their very eyes… prophecy that the Jewish leaders knew VERY well. Yet, they missed it. They couldn’t see the truth because they were spiritually blind. Jesus tells us twice in verse 36 that His kingdom is not of this world. He was about ready to do the most impacting, life-altering thing in history… atone for the sins of mankind, defeat sin and death once and for all, and establish Himself as King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity. While the world saw an ordinary man claiming to be a king, those who could spiritually see the truth knew Him as the Son of God who would save the world and reign as King of kings for all eternity.

Mark 15

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:38-39 (ESV)

Truly Jesus is the Son of God! The events leading up to and surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection were nothing short of miraculous, to say the least. When Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Spiritually, life would never be the same. His defeat of sin and death would mean that we could now dwell in the presence of our Father for all eternity.