Friday 14 November 2025
"See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death." (v. 18)
Background
Matthew 20:17-19 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry. It's a solemn and intimate conversation as he journeys towards Jerusalem, with his disciples gathered close. In these verses Jesus reveals with stark honesty the suffering that awaits him: “The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.” This passage is not merely an ominous prophecy; it is a profound lesson in the nature of discipleship and learning in the way of Christ.
Learning, in the context of faith, is often imagined as the gentle accumulation of wisdom and understanding. Yet here Jesus’ teaching disrupts such comforting notions. He does not shield his followers from the harsh realities of what lies ahead. Instead he invites them into the depths of pain, betrayal and the seeming finality of death. The learning he offers is not abstract or theoretical – it is embodied, costly and demands the courage to face hard truths. For the disciples, this must have been shattering; their hopes and dreams for a triumphant Messiah clash with the reality of Jesus as a suffering servant. In this moment, Jesus teaches that true learning means allowing one’s expectations to be unmade, to be open to the unsettling work of God in the world.
Furthermore, this passage highlights the importance of journeying together as a community of learners. Jesus does not walk this path alone, he shares with his disciples not only the journey but also the weight of what is to come. Learning in the Christian life is never a solitary enterprise. It is shaped by our relationships and mutual support. As Jesus opens his heart to his friends, he invites them to share his burdens and ultimately his mission. As Christians, we grow not by seeking safe answers, but by journeying together through uncertainty and pain, trusting that God is at work even in the darkest moments.
Moreover, Jesus’ words point to the paradoxical hope at the heart of Christian learning. The prediction of his suffering and death is not the final word: he concludes with the promise “and on the third day he will be raised.” Jesus teaches that all true learning in the way of the cross leads ultimately to life. Suffering and loss is a step on the road towards resurrection and renewal. For the disciples – and for us – this means that moments of confusion, grief or failure are not to be feared or avoided, but embraced as opportunities for transformation. The way of Jesus is a path where apparent defeat gives way to unexpected hope, and where every lesson, no matter how costly, is held within the promise of God’s redeeming love.
As we reflect on Matthew 20:17-19, we are invited to listen afresh to Jesus’ call to learn, not by clinging to certainty, but by following him into the unknown. To be his disciple is to be willing to hear hard truths, to walk alongside others in vulnerability, and to trust that God is working to bring new life. In this way, our learning becomes an act of faith, hope, and love – a journey shaped by the promise that in Christ suffering is never the end of the story.
To Ponder:
- How do you respond to Jesus teaching that true learning means allowing our expectations to be unmade, and that we should be open to being unsettled? Can you think of a time when the demands of the gospel and the call to discipleship unmade and unsettled you?
- How easy do you find it to live with uncertainty in your life of faith? Can you recall a time at which you made yourself vulnerable in order to better minister to another person?
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Adrian Burdon
The Revd Dr Adrian Burdon is Superintendent Minister of the Telford Circuit in the West Midlands District. Adrian has been a presbyter since 1988 and, in addition to Shropshire, has worked in the Oldham Circuit, on the Fylde Coast, in Leeds city centre, the Northeast of England, and as a mission partner in the South Pacific. Adrian is Chair of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland writing group which writes material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.