Good morning, and a blessed Thursday morning to you.

Would you please open your Bibles with me to Matthew, the 20th chapter—Matthew chapter 20—for our time in God’s Word.

Today, we are on the precipice of entering into such a beautiful and meaningful week in the life of the Church—Holy Week.

This coming Sunday, it all begins with Palm Sunday, as we remember our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But we also remember why He came to Jerusalem: to die and rise for us.

We then move into Maundy Thursday, when we remember that our Lord instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Then on Good Friday, we remember the crucifixion of our Lord, with the adult choir and orchestra presenting a beautiful cantata as part of the worship service.

And then, a week from this coming Sunday, Easter Sunday—the crown of Sundays—when we will celebrate anew that Christ is risen.

It is such an important, meaningful, and rich week.

We see in Holy Scripture that Jesus told what would happen. Look with me, please, at Matthew chapter 20, beginning at verse 17:

“While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves and said to them on the way, ‘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. 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.’”

Jesus told what would happen. But what would happen was told long before that.

Turn, if you would please, to Psalm 22, and we’ll pick up in verse 1:

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?”

Go down now, please, to verse 7:

“All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they shake their heads: ‘Commit your cause to the Lord; let Him deliver—let Him rescue the one in whom He delights!’”

Now over, please, to verse 14:

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me; my hands and feet are pierced. I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

This is what is called a direct prophecy. It has one fulfillment—in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a prophecy of the cross of Jesus. We hear the echoes of it lived out in the New Testament account, as the Lord Jesus Christ bears our sin on the cross to win forgiveness for us.

Jesus told what would happen. It was told long before that. And it was also told about the resurrection.

Turn with me, please, to Psalm 16, beginning at verse 9:

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For You do not give me up to Sheol”—or, as the NIV translates, “the grave”—“nor let Your faithful one see the pit,” which can also be translated, as in the NIV, “see decay.”

For You did not give me up to the grave or let Your faithful one see decay.

That is a direct prophecy. It has one fulfillment—in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a prophecy of the resurrection of Christ.

Jesus told the disciples what would happen. But what would happen was told long before that in the pages of the Old Testament. Such is the reliability of the Word of God. God is faithful to His promises.

Come, let us enter into this meaningful week. Let us hear anew of the faithfulness of our God.

Let’s pray:

Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, for Your Word is indeed truth.

Bless, we pray, O Lord, this Holy Week. May You be glorified in our worship. Thank You, Lord, that You come to speak to us through Your Word.

Bless this week, we pray, to Your glory and to Your honor. We thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness to Your Word.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

God bless you. Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel