What does Luke 9:22 mean?
The Gospel writers each arrange their stories to highlight their emphasized themes. Luke has provided several accounts of Jesus' incredible power. He calmed a storm on the Sea of Galilee, rescued a man from a legion of demons, raised a dead girl, healed a woman of a chronic illness, empowered His twelve disciples to perform mighty miracles, and fed likely more than ten thousand people with one small lunch (Luke 8:22—9:6; 9:10–17). He then validated Peter's assertion that He is the Christ of God: the Messiah who will deliver the Jews (Luke 9:20).Now, Jesus says the Jewish leaders, who are supposed to be watching out for their Messiah, are going to kill Him. The "Son of Man"—a term Jesus often uses for Himself—is described in Daniel 7:13–14. The Ancient of Days gives the Son of Man "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." That He must suffer implies something necessary and intended by God the Father. But how can such a ruler be betrayed and murdered by the people He is to rule?
The disciples are so confused that Peter rebukes Jesus, denying that He will be killed. Earlier, Jesus had said that He would build His church on Peter's affirmation that He is the Messiah. Now, He says Peter's words are from Satan, himself (Matthew 16:16–23). The disciples hold the common belief that the Messiah will rescue them from Roman rule. He is hoped to drive out the occupying forces, restore Jewish autonomy, and herald the blessings God promised in Ezekiel 47—48.
Jesus tells them: not yet. First, they need to be so committed to Him that they will be willing to climb onto their own crosses and die for Him (Luke 9:23–27). Then, Jesus shows Peter, James, and John His glory in the transfiguration (Luke 9:28–36).
They will not fully understand Jesus' true purpose until He ascends into heaven (Acts 1:6–11) and the Holy Spirit falls on them (Acts 2:1–3). Jesus must die as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world (1 Peter 1:18–19).
Jesus' suffering includes beatings, punches, a crown of thorns, and a severe whipping that leaves His skin hanging from His flesh (Matthew 26:67; Mark 15:15–20). His rejection comes at the hands of the chief priests, the Sanhedrin, the Roman governor, and even Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6–16). His death is crucifixion—nailed by His hands and feet to a cross and hanging there until He asphyxiates. But His resurrection is glorious and shocking and comes with the promise that one day His followers will be resurrected, as well (Romans 8:11).
It is this fate His followers must be prepared to emulate and this future to which they can look forward.
