Sermons on Acts 2:23

Acts 2:23 Interpretation:

The Eternal Decrees: God's Sovereign Plan for Creation (MLJTrust) and "The Eternal Decrees: Understanding God's Sovereign Plan" (MLJTrust) both provide a systematic theological interpretation of Acts 2:23, focusing on the doctrine of God's eternal decrees. They highlight the antinomy (irreconcilable truths) between divine sovereignty and human freedom, using Acts 2:23 as a key example: Christ was delivered up by God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge, yet wicked men are held responsible for his death. The sermons stress that God's decrees encompass even the sinful actions of men, but God is never the author of sin. The preacher draws on the original Greek to emphasize the legal and intentional nature of God's plan, and frames the passage as a paradigmatic case of how God's will is accomplished through, not in spite of, human choices.

Exploring Free Will and Divine Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) and "God's Sovereignty and Human Freedom: A Divine Interplay" (Ligonier Ministries) both interpret Acts 2:23 (though focusing more on the Joseph narrative, they explicitly connect it to the crucifixion) as the clearest biblical illustration of the concurrence of divine sovereignty and human freedom. They reject the popular analogy of "parallel lines that meet in eternity" as a cop-out, instead arguing that the Bible never teaches human autonomy but rather real, limited freedom under God's absolute sovereignty. The sermons use the language of "intentionality" and "secondary causation" to explain that while humans act with real motives and intentions, God sovereignly ordains and works through those actions to accomplish his purposes, as seen supremely in the cross.

Transformative Power of Grace: Peter and the Cross (Alistair Begg) offers a notably structured and nuanced interpretation of Acts 2:23, drawing on John Knox’s threefold division: in respect of God, the death of Christ is justice and mercy; in respect of man, it is murder and cruelty; and in respect of Christ, it is obedience and humility. Begg emphasizes that the Greek phrase for “definite plan and foreknowledge” points to a pre-temporal, intra-Trinitarian covenant of redemption, not a reactionary plan. He uses the analogy of a sailor setting his sails to catch the wind (from Flavel) to illustrate concurrence: God’s sovereign plan does not force human hands, just as a sailor does not compel the wind, but both work together. This interpretation is distinct in its careful balance of divine sovereignty and human culpability, and in its use of historical theological categories.

Balancing Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Evangelism (Alistair Begg) interprets Acts 2:23 as a paradigmatic example of the biblical “antinomy” (apparent contradiction) between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Begg uses the analogy of light being both a wave and a particle to illustrate how two seemingly irreconcilable truths can coexist. He highlights that Acts 2:23 places both truths “side by side, sometimes even in the one verse,” and insists that both must be held with equal seriousness, as Spurgeon said, “You don’t have to reconcile friends.” This approach is unique in its explicit use of scientific analogy and its insistence on the necessity of living with theological tension.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Lessons from Betrayal (Alistair Begg) provides a detailed philosophical and theological analysis of Acts 2:23, focusing on the synthesis of God’s foreordination and human freedom. Begg references the Westminster Confession and a Scottish theologian to argue that God’s foreordination “does not eliminate human freedom,” and that Judas’s betrayal (and by extension, the crucifixion) was both foreordained and freely chosen. He uses the story of Joseph and his brothers as a biblical analogy, emphasizing that God’s redemptive calculus factors in human sin without making God the author of sin. This sermon stands out for its philosophical rigor and its application of theological caveats to the text.

Justification by Faith: Trusting God's Power and Mercy (Desiring God) interprets Acts 2:23 (referenced in the context of Romans 4:25) as evidence that Christ’s death was “by design”—specifically, by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God. Piper stresses that the passive verb “was delivered over” refers to God’s action, not merely human agents, and that this design is the foundation for merciful redemption. He contrasts this with modern criticisms of substitutionary atonement, framing the verse as a choice between seeing the cross as “divine child abuse” or as the supreme act of love. This interpretation is unique in its polemical engagement with contemporary objections and its focus on the atonement’s design.

The Eternal Significance of the Cross: Justice and Love (Alistair Begg, Alistair Begg) offers a nuanced interpretation of Acts 2:23 by emphasizing the paradoxical relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Begg highlights the Greek terminology for "delivered up" and "definite plan and foreknowledge," noting their unequivocal nature and suggesting that the passage points to an eternal, pre-temporal covenant within the Trinity (the "covenant of redemption"). He uses the analogy of a sailor hoisting sails to catch the wind—not compelling the wind, but acting in concert with it—to illustrate how God's plan and human actions coexist without compulsion. Begg also distinguishes between the perspectives of God (justice and mercy), humanity (murder and cruelty), and Christ (obedience and humility), using the metaphor of a sandwich to help listeners remember these layers.

Understanding God's Sovereignty Amidst Sin and Suffering (Desiring God) interprets Acts 2:23 as the clearest biblical example of God orchestrating even the most sinful human actions (the crucifixion) for his redemptive purposes. The sermon delves into the mystery of how God can will that sin occur without himself being a sinner, rejecting the idea that "free will" solves the tension. The preacher uses the language of "God planned the cross from all eternity," arguing that if God planned salvation, he necessarily planned the sin that made it necessary. The analogy of Lazarus being called from the tomb is used to illustrate how God's command creates the very response it demands, paralleling how God's sovereign plan and human actions intersect at the cross.

Glorying in the Cross: The Heart of the Gospel (SermonIndex.net) provides a polemical and detailed interpretation of Acts 2:23, focusing on the Greek terms "determinant counsel" and "foreknowledge." The preacher insists that "foreknowledge" does not mean God merely foresaw events, but that he actively determined and planned the cross from eternity past. The sermon uses the analogy of a courtroom, where God is both judge and justifier, and the cross is the "center of God's plan," not a tragic accident. The preacher also contrasts the shame and scandal of the cross in Roman culture with the Christian's boast in it, using the metaphor of a "singular boast" to emphasize exclusivity.

Acts 2:23 Theological Themes:

Trusting God's Sovereignty in Life's Challenges (Crazy Love) introduces the theme that God's sovereignty is not only compatible with, but actually necessitates, the existence of suffering and evil for higher, often inscrutable purposes. The sermon uniquely applies Acts 2:23 to personal tragedy, arguing that just as God ordained the suffering of Christ for redemptive good, so too does he ordain the painful events in our lives, which we may only understand in hindsight or eternity. The preacher insists that faith means accepting God's plan even when it is emotionally devastating, and that this acceptance brings security and peace.

The Eternal Decrees: God's Sovereign Plan for Creation (MLJTrust) and "The Eternal Decrees: Understanding God's Sovereign Plan" (MLJTrust) both develop the theme of antinomy: the simultaneous, irreconcilable truths of God's absolute sovereignty and human responsibility. They add the facet that God's decrees are unconditional, not based on foreseen human actions, and that even the most evil acts (like the crucifixion) are included in God's plan without making God the author of sin. The sermons stress that this doctrine, while mysterious, is meant to humble us and lead to worship, not speculation.

Exploring Free Will and Divine Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) and "God's Sovereignty and Human Freedom: A Divine Interplay" (Ligonier Ministries) introduce the theme that true human freedom is not autonomy but the ability to make real choices within the boundaries of God's sovereign will. They add the insight that God's sovereignty is never threatened or limited by human freedom; rather, God works through human intentions (even evil ones) to accomplish his good purposes, as exemplified in Acts 2:23 and the cross. The sermons also highlight the moral dimension of intentionality, arguing that humans are genuinely responsible for their choices even when those choices fulfill God's sovereign plan.

Transformative Power of Grace: Peter and the Cross (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme of the cross as the intersection of justice and mercy (in God), murder and cruelty (in man), and obedience and humility (in Christ), rooted in the eternal covenant of redemption. Begg’s use of the intra-Trinitarian covenant and the threefold perspective is a distinctive theological contribution, as is his insistence that the cross is not a temporal fix but an eternal purpose.

Balancing Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Evangelism (Alistair Begg) adds the theme of “antinomy” as a necessary and liberating aspect of Christian faith, arguing that the coexistence of divine sovereignty and human responsibility is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be embraced. This is applied specifically to evangelism, challenging both hyper-Calvinism and Arminianism.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Lessons from Betrayal (Alistair Begg) presents the theme that God’s foreordination encompasses all events, including sin, without making God the author of sin or eliminating human freedom. The sermon’s emphasis on the compatibility of foreordination and contingency, and its application to both sin and faith, is a nuanced theological angle.

Justification by Faith: Trusting God's Power and Mercy (Desiring God) highlights the theme of “merciful redemption by design,” arguing that the cross is not an accident or mere human crime but the outworking of God’s predetermined plan. Piper’s focus on the necessity of believing in the divine design of the atonement, in the face of modern objections, is a fresh application.

The Eternal Significance of the Cross: Justice and Love (Alistair Begg, Alistair Begg) introduces the theme of the cross as the intersection of God's justice and mercy, arguing that both are equally and simultaneously expressed in Christ's death. Begg also explores the paradox of divine sovereignty and human culpability, asserting that God's predetermined plan does not absolve the perpetrators of responsibility. He adds the facet that all humanity is implicated in the crucifixion, not just the historical actors.

Understanding God's Sovereignty Amidst Sin and Suffering (Desiring God) presents the theme of God's sovereignty over both sin and righteousness, arguing that God is equally in control of all events, including those caused by human rebellion. The sermon adds the angle that God's sovereignty is not compromised by human sin, and that the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God orchestrating evil for good. The preacher also introduces the idea that repentance and faith are gifts granted by God, not achievements of human will.

Glorying in the Cross: The Heart of the Gospel (SermonIndex.net) develops the theme of the cross as the exclusive ground for Christian boasting, excluding all human works, achievements, or religious observances. The sermon adds the facet that misunderstanding or minimizing the cross leads to legalism and a departure from grace, and that true understanding of the cross results in humility and singular devotion.

Acts 2:23 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Trusting God's Sovereignty in Life's Challenges (Crazy Love) provides historical context by referencing the cultural and religious expectations of the time regarding suffering, evil, and divine responsibility. The sermon situates Acts 2:23 within the broader biblical narrative, drawing parallels to Job, Joseph, and Ezekiel to illustrate how ancient believers grappled with the tension between God's sovereignty and human suffering. The preacher also references the cultural norm of blaming others (as seen in Adam and Eve) and contrasts it with the biblical call to accept God's plan.

The Eternal Decrees: God's Sovereign Plan for Creation (MLJTrust) and "The Eternal Decrees: Understanding God's Sovereign Plan" (MLJTrust) offer historical insight into the development of the doctrine of God's decrees, noting that it is often neglected in modern theology but was central to the early church and Reformation thought. The sermons explain the cultural context of first-century Judaism and Greco-Roman fatalism, contrasting the biblical view of providence with pagan determinism and emphasizing the radical claim of Acts 2:23 that even the most heinous crime (the crucifixion) was under God's sovereign control.

Transformative Power of Grace: Peter and the Cross (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by referencing the development of atonement theology, noting that Acts 2:23 predates Paul’s fully developed doctrine in Romans. Begg also situates Peter’s sermon within the context of the disciples’ post-resurrection Bible study with Jesus (Luke 24), suggesting that their understanding of the cross as God’s plan was shaped by Jesus’ exposition of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah 53. He further explains the concept of the “covenant of redemption” as a historical theological construct, not a biblical term, but one that shapes the understanding of the passage.

Justification by Faith: Trusting God's Power and Mercy (Desiring God) offers contextual insight by explaining that the phrase “was delivered over” in Acts 2:23 (and Romans 4:25) is a passive verb that, in the context of first-century Jewish and Roman legal systems, would have been understood as a judicial handing over, but Paul’s use points to God as the ultimate agent, not merely human authorities. Piper also references the contemporary context of naturalistic philosophy and its impact on the interpretation of resurrection and atonement.

The Eternal Significance of the Cross: Justice and Love (Alistair Begg, Alistair Begg) provides historical context by referencing the cultural and legal roles of Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the peoples of Israel in the crucifixion, as well as the Old Testament background (e.g., Isaiah 53) that frames the death of Christ as fulfillment of prophecy. Begg also notes the radical nature of proclaiming the cross as the epicenter of human existence in a first-century backwater province, highlighting the cultural scandal and apparent foolishness of the message.

Glorying in the Cross: The Heart of the Gospel (SermonIndex.net) offers detailed historical context about the Roman perception of crucifixion, emphasizing that the cross was a symbol of shame, disgrace, and criminality. The preacher explains that boasting in the cross would have been seen as madness in the ancient world, underscoring the countercultural nature of Paul's message.

Acts 2:23 Cross-References in the Bible:

Trusting God's Sovereignty in Life's Challenges (Crazy Love) references multiple biblical passages to support and expand on Acts 2:23, including Exodus 4 (God's sovereignty over disability), Deuteronomy 32 (God's power over life and death), 1 Samuel 2 (God sends poverty and wealth), Ecclesiastes 7 (God makes both good and bad times), Isaiah 45 (God creates light and darkness), Lamentations 3 (both calamities and good come from God), Ephesians 1 (predestination), James 1 (trials produce maturity), Job 1 and 42 (Job's suffering and God's response), Genesis 37 and 45 (Joseph's story), and Psalm 139 (God ordains our days). Each reference is used to reinforce the message that God's sovereignty encompasses all events, both good and evil, and that human actions, while real and culpable, are ultimately part of God's plan.

The Eternal Decrees: God's Sovereign Plan for Creation (MLJTrust) and "The Eternal Decrees: Understanding God's Sovereign Plan" (MLJTrust) cite Ephesians 1:11 (God works all things after the counsel of his will), Proverbs 16:33 (the lot is cast, but its outcome is from the Lord), Matthew 10:29-30 (God's care for sparrows), Proverbs 21:1 (the king's heart is in God's hand), Ephesians 2:10 and Philippians 2:13 (God ordains good works), Acts 4:27-28 (Herod, Pilate, and the crucifixion), Genesis 45:8 and 50:20 (Joseph's story), Daniel 4:35 (God does as he wills), Matthew 11:25-26 (God reveals to whom he wills), Romans 9 (God's sovereign election), John 6:37, 6:44, Acts 13:48, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, and 2 Timothy 1:9 (God's sovereign choice in salvation). These references are marshaled to show that the pattern of divine sovereignty and human responsibility is consistent throughout Scripture, with Acts 2:23 as a central example.

Exploring Free Will and Divine Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) and "God's Sovereignty and Human Freedom: A Divine Interplay" (Ligonier Ministries) use Genesis 50:20 (Joseph's story) as the primary cross-reference, explicitly connecting it to Acts 2:23 and the crucifixion. They also reference the Genesis account of Adam and Eve (the quest for autonomy), the story of Judas, and the Westminster Confession's language on God's ordination of all things. These passages are used to illustrate the principle of concurrence: God works through human choices, even evil ones, to accomplish his sovereign will.

Transformative Power of Grace: Peter and the Cross (Alistair Begg) references several passages to expand on Acts 2:23: Luke 24 (Jesus’ post-resurrection Bible study, showing the cross as fulfillment of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms); Isaiah 53:10 (“it was the will of the Lord to crush him”); Romans 4:25 (“delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification”); John 17 (the high priestly prayer, “glorify your son”); 1 Peter 1:20 (“chosen before the foundation of the world”); and Acts 4:27-28 (the gathering of Herod, Pilate, Gentiles, and Israel “to do what your hand and your plan had predestined to take place”). Each reference is used to show that the cross was both God’s eternal plan and the result of human wickedness, and to demonstrate the continuity of this theme throughout Scripture.

Balancing Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Evangelism (Alistair Begg) cross-references John 6 (the tension between God’s will and human belief), Luke 22:22 (“the Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him”), Acts 2:23 (the main text), and Matthew 22 (the parable of the wedding banquet, illustrating human responsibility in responding to God’s invitation). These references are used to show that the Bible consistently places divine sovereignty and human responsibility side by side.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Lessons from Betrayal (Alistair Begg) references Luke 22:22 (the betrayal of Jesus as both decreed and culpable), Ephesians 1:11 (God “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”), Genesis (the story of Joseph and his brothers, “you intended it for evil, but God intended it for good”), and Acts 2:23. These passages are used to illustrate the compatibility of God’s sovereign plan and human freedom, both in salvation and in sin.

Justification by Faith: Trusting God's Power and Mercy (Desiring God) references Acts 2:23 (“delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God”), Romans 8:3 (“God sent his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin”), and Romans 8:32 (“he did not spare his own son, but delivered him over for us all”). Piper uses these to argue that the cross was God’s deliberate act, not merely a human crime, and that this is essential for understanding justification.

The Eternal Significance of the Cross: Justice and Love (Alistair Begg, Alistair Begg) references Isaiah 53:10 ("it was the will of the Lord to crush him"), John 17 (Jesus' prayer for glorification), 1 Peter (Jesus chosen before the foundation of the world), 2 Corinthians 5 (the great exchange), and Acts 4:28 (God's predestined plan involving Herod, Pilate, and the peoples of Israel). Each reference is used to reinforce the idea that the cross was both divinely ordained and executed through human agency, and that it fulfills Old Testament prophecy.

Understanding God's Sovereignty Amidst Sin and Suffering (Desiring God) cross-references Genesis (Joseph's brothers' sin and God's purpose), Psalm 105:16-17 (God sending Joseph), Job (God's sovereignty over suffering), Psalm 22 (prophecy of Christ's suffering), Romans 8:28 (God working all things for good), Ephesians 2:5-8 (salvation by grace), 2 Timothy 2:26 (God granting repentance), and 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (God shining light into hearts). These references are used to support the argument that God is sovereign over both sin and salvation, and that human choices are real but ultimately subordinate to God's will.

Glorying in the Cross: The Heart of the Gospel (SermonIndex.net) references Acts 2:23 (as proof of divine determination), Galatians 6:14 (boasting in the cross), Romans 3:27 (boasting excluded by faith), Ephesians 2:8-9 (salvation by grace), Philippians (enemies of the cross), Genesis 4 (Cain and Abel as two gospels), and Galatians 1:6 (removal from grace to another gospel). Each passage is used to argue that the cross is the exclusive basis for salvation and Christian identity, and that any addition (e.g., circumcision, works) is a departure from the gospel.

Acts 2:23 Christian References outside the Bible:

Exploring Free Will and Divine Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) and "God's Sovereignty and Human Freedom: A Divine Interplay" (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly reference philosophical and theological sources outside the Bible. They mention B.F. Skinner and Ludwig Feuerbach as representatives of naturalistic determinism, and Edmund Husserl, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Martin Heidegger as philosophers who grappled with the nature of human freedom and autonomy. Sartre's argument that human freedom (defined as autonomy) is incompatible with the existence of God is discussed and refuted. The sermons also reference the Westminster Confession of Faith, quoting its statement that God ordains all things "not in such a way as to do violence to the will of the creature or to do away with secondary causes," using this as a theological anchor for their interpretation of Acts 2:23.

Transformative Power of Grace: Peter and the Cross (Alistair Begg) explicitly references several Christian theologians: Howard Marshall (noting the “paradox of divine predestination and human free will”), John Calvin (who warns against “circumlocutions and obscure and tedious speculations” about providence, and calls Christ “the true mirror” of providence), John Knox (whose threefold division shapes Begg’s outline), Flavel (whose analogy of the sailor and the wind illustrates concurrence), and Augustine (“the cross is the pulpit from which God preached his love to the world”). Begg also cites Ian Murray (on persuading men of God’s love) and hymn writers (e.g., “Amazing Love, how can it be…”). Each reference is used to deepen the theological and pastoral application of Acts 2:23.

Balancing Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Evangelism (Alistair Begg) explicitly references J.I. Packer (his book on evangelism and sovereignty, including the story of William Carey and the “sit down, young man” rebuke), and Charles Spurgeon (“You don’t have to reconcile friends”). These references are used to support the argument that both sovereignty and responsibility must be held together in evangelism.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Lessons from Betrayal (Alistair Begg) references the Westminster Confession (on foreordination and human freedom) and an unnamed Scottish theologian (on the compatibility of foreordination and liberty). These references are used to provide theological guardrails for interpreting Acts 2:23.

The Eternal Significance of the Cross: Justice and Love (Alistair Begg, Alistair Begg) explicitly references Augustine, quoting him as saying, "The cross is the pulpit from which God preached his love to the world," and mentions Ian Murray's book on Augustine, which highlights the transformative power of being captivated by God's love for sinners. Begg also cites hymnwriters such as Graham Kendrick ("My Lord, what love is this that pays so dearly...") and the hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus," using their language to deepen the congregation's appreciation of the cross as the meeting place of justice and mercy.

Acts 2:23 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Trusting God's Sovereignty in Life's Challenges (Crazy Love) uses a detailed and emotionally resonant secular analogy: the story of a father holding his daughter for a painful vaccination. The child screams and resists, unable to understand why her loving father would allow such pain, but the father knows it is necessary for her long-term good. This analogy is used to illustrate how God, in his sovereignty, may ordain suffering in our lives for purposes we cannot comprehend, just as he ordained the suffering of Christ for the ultimate good of redemption.

Exploring Free Will and Divine Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) and "God's Sovereignty and Human Freedom: A Divine Interplay" (Ligonier Ministries) employ several secular illustrations. They reference the popular song lyric, "When an irresistible force such as you meets an immovable object like me, well somehow, someway, somewhere something’s gotta give," to illustrate the logical impossibility of reconciling divine sovereignty with human autonomy. They also use the analogy of Jack Benny's comedic sketch, where a robber demands "Your money or your life," to explain how choices are always made according to one's strongest inclination, not by external compulsion. Additionally, the story of a man changing his diet to become rich (inspired by Feuerbach's "You are what you eat") is used to mock the idea of material determinism. The illustration of the "bucket in the well" (two ropes meeting out of sight) is critiqued as an inadequate metaphor for the relationship between divine sovereignty and human freedom. Finally, the "for want of a nail" proverb is used to show how seemingly insignificant events (like Joseph's coat of many colors) can have world-changing consequences under God's providence.

Balancing Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Evangelism (Alistair Begg) uses the scientific analogy of light being both a wave and a particle to illustrate the coexistence of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. He also references the story of William Carey at a Baptist ministers’ fraternal, where Carey’s missionary zeal is rebuffed with “sit down, young man,” to illustrate the dangers of overemphasizing sovereignty. These secular and historical analogies are used to make the theological tension more accessible and relatable.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Lessons from Betrayal (Alistair Begg) uses the analogy of a golf putt and the throw of dice to illustrate contingency and human freedom under divine foreordination. He also references Jean-Paul Sartre and existentialist philosophy to contrast the Christian view of a teleological universe with secular notions of chance and meaninglessness. These illustrations serve to ground the theological discussion in everyday experience and philosophical debate.

Justification by Faith: Trusting God's Power and Mercy (Desiring God) references the philosophy of naturalism and the work of Rudolf Bultmann, specifically his claim that “a historical fact which involves a resurrection from the dead is utterly inconceivable.” Piper uses this as a foil to argue that Christian faith requires belief in the “inconceivable” power of God, and that the resurrection and atonement defy the closed system of naturalistic philosophy. This engagement with secular thought is used to challenge listeners to embrace the supernatural claims of Christianity.

Embracing the Cross: Trusting God's Divine Plan (Kim Alexander, Kim Alexander) uses several vivid secular illustrations to help the congregation process the shock and difficulty of grasping hard truths like those in Acts 2:23. The preacher recounts watching the Challenger explosion in 1986, the 9/11 attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump, describing the emotional numbness and disbelief that follow such events. These analogies are used to parallel the disciples' inability to process Jesus' prediction of his suffering and death, suggesting that just as we struggle to comprehend traumatic news, so too did the disciples struggle to understand the divine necessity of the cross. The preacher also uses the analogy of a family road trip over a dangerous mountain pass, where children focus on the danger rather than the destination, to illustrate how the disciples fixated on Jesus' suffering rather than the promised resurrection. Additionally, the preacher references the children's story "Horton Hears a Who" to illustrate the vast difference between human and divine perspective, and the image of a sculptor chiseling marble to explain how God brings beauty from suffering.