Stations in the life of Jesus: (5) Jerusalem - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day he will rise again.
Matthew 20:17-19.

Stations in the life of Jesus: (5) Jerusalem
In Jesus' day the massive temple and its grounds dominated Jerusalem. The disciples of Jesus were impressed by the magnificent buildings, whereas Jesus Himself had other feelings when He observed the city. He wept over it, foreseeing its total destruction by the Romans under their commander Titus in 70 A.D. (Luke 19:41; 21:5.6).

The gospels give a detailed report of Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem to undertake God's plan of salvation through His death on the cross. Jesus had spoken to His disciples about it on several occasions, but they had not understood Him. They hoped for the nation's liberation from Roman rule through Him as the Messiah.

In His love God had not only the well-being of the people of Israel in view, but the salvation of all who would believe in Him, irrespective of their nation. Everything occurred as Jesus had announced: the betrayal by one of His disciples, the interrogation by the leaders of the people, then being handed over to the Roman governor who had Him crucified.

There on the cross hung Jesus Christ, the one righteous, sinless Person, enduring God's punishment on behalf of others, so that we, through faith in Him, might receive forgiveness and eternal life.

(to be concluded on Saturday)

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 11:1-23 · Revelation 2:8-11