Luke 9 v 43. “While everyone was marvelling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
This is an amazing conclusion to this episode of the healing of the demon possessed boy. While people were still marvelling at his majesty, he was taking his disciples eyes off that event, and focussing them on his coming death. But they did not understand what He had said. Why not? Because Jesus was referring to His death and he was doing so when his popularity was at its height. It made no sense to the disciples.
Imagine if you were there. You would have seen Jesus exercising very great power over sickness, disease and even the demons. Speaking about his death would imply weakness and helplessness. But they had never seen him like that. If he could wield such supernatural power, why does He not deliver himself from the hands of evil men?
Luke explains to us why they could not understand. In verse 45 Luke writes, “It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it …..” For those disciples it was an inconceivable thing that the Messiah should die. Crucifixion was the epitome of shame, disgrace and weakness. To a Jewish person a crucified Messiah was a contradiction in terms.
What Jesus was doing to his disciples was an attempt to show them that the power to work miracles was an inadequate power to change human hearts. It was only at the Cross with all its apparent weakness and shame, that finally a greater power was released to reconcile people to God.
The Cross was not a mere obstacle in the pathway of Christ on his way to glory; it was the means by which He would obtain salvation for all who would believe in Him.
Do you notice today that the message of the Cross still appears hidden from people. And like the disciples, when it is broached people seem afraid of it (v 44). There is a great resistance to the message of the Cross, but it is the very message accompanied by the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit, which saves people.