‘And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them, and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.'

As they walked along the dusty road towards Jerusalem, something about Jesus' new demeanour and His determination to press on urgently to Jerusalem amazed the disciples. Luke puts it, ‘when the days were well nigh come that He should be received up He steadfastly set His face to go towards Jerusalem' (Luke 9:51). They sensed that something was about to happen. In His heart was the cry, “Lo, I come to do your will, Oh God” (Hebrews 10:7; Hebrews 10:9). Yet not for one moment did they think of leaving Him.

‘Those who followed were afraid.' This may refer to a different group of followers than the twelve, including among others the women who went around with them (Luke 8:2). They must have gathered something of the expected dangers for they were afraid. But they too continued to follow. This sense of awe will be repeated as a result of His resurrection (Mark 16:8). All that happens from this point on is beyond man's comprehension.

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