Over and over the Gospels answer that question with verses like this: And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31. (See also Mark 9:31; Mt. 16:21; Lk. 9:22)
But why did this require "teaching?" Wasn’t it simply the declaration of
an upcoming event? Granted, the most important, life-altering, history-making
event ever. But why was the Savior “teaching” this? Doesn’t “teaching” imply a process of instruction, and not a
simple announcement?
Why would the fact of His upcoming death and resurrection
be the subject of ongoing instruction?
Answer: because Jesus’ substitutionary death and
resurrection is the heart of our faith. Some Christians think of Jesus’ death
on the cross as the A-B-C’s of our faith, the elementary, beginning
part. But Jesus taught this because
it is the beginning, middle, and end of everything.
We never outgrow the cross. The gospel relates to everything
about our life and our destiny, our families and our careers, our relationships
and our character. Far from an elementary lesson, the cross is the Master
Class.
In heaven the cross continues to be the central topic of
wonder and praise. The numberless chorus of angels worship Christ for this
very reason: Worthy are you…for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed
people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Revelation
5:9
I admire Jesus as the Master Teacher, and as I read and
study and try to obey, His teachings continue to point me back to the cross and the empty tomb.
