Jesus knew.

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Matthew 16:21

Jesus knew His mission. He was laser-focused on His work of redemption. He knew His ministry would culminate in His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. And He openly prepared His disciples for that reality. And they got that message. Peter was so upset about it at first that he confronted Jesus over it, vowing that his Lord should never suffer such a fate. And Jesus rebuked him. The very notion of Jesus having some ministry that did not come into fruition with dying for sin was absolutely Satanic in its origin (see Matthew 16:22-23). No doubt about it… Jesus knew His mission.

So what should a disciple’s response be to a Master committed to die for the sins of the world? According to Jesus Himself, we follow Him carrying a cross as well (Matthew 16:24). He dies… we die. Just as Jesus was willing to give His life for the world, so we must be willing to lose our lives for His sake in order to find true eternal life. Discipleship is entered into in order to exchange my life and gain my soul… devoted to Jesus for eternity (Matthew 16:25-26). Jesus knew His followers would have to make a serious commitment.

In this light, the Christian life is all about Jesus… Who He is… what He has done… and what He will do when He comes again in His kingdom (Matthew 15:27-28). Jesus knew this. Jesus taught this. Jesus expected His followers to believe and to seriously commit to nothing less than a gospel of His sacrifice and resurrection, entrusting all their hope, all their lives, and their eternity in commitment to this soul-saving, gracious, glorious truth.