Who is Jesus?  Today, many say He is an historical figure, a prophet, a teacher, a good man…the followers of Christ say that He is the Christ (Messiah – the Anointed One of God), the Son of the living God, Savior, and coming King.

Why is it important to know that Jesus foretold His death and resurrection?  Jesus was not surprised because He knew He would be crucified at the end of the week.  He gave Himself on the altar of the cross to save His people from their sins.  That is why He was born…He came to die – and to be resurrected to life.  He fulfilled all prophecy concerning His first coming (or Advent) into this world.

Jesus gave fuller and fuller revelation concerning His approaching death to His disciples…over a period of time.

Jesus pointed to the Jewish religious leaders:
(NASB) Matthew 16:21 “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”

Jesus pointed to the Gentiles:
(NASB) Luke18:31-33 “Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.
32 ‘For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon,
33 and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.”

Jesus pointed to Jews and Gentiles:
(NASB) Matthew 20:17-19 “As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them,
18 ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death,
19 and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

  Jesus’ life was not taken from Him…He gave Himself for you and me…for our sins.  How can we not receive such a great salvation?  For to refuse it, is to reject the Son of God and His intentional sacrifice.