October 20: Weekly Reading- Jesus Predicts His Death; The Rebuked & Insight Post by Kim Feld

  -   October 20, 2025

Following Jesus Requires Sacrifice: Jesus predicts His suffering and calls His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him. True discipleship involves a willingness to sacrifice personal desires for the sake of God’s will.

Monday Verse

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

Monday Questions

In what areas of my life am I being called to sacrifice for the sake of following Jesus? How can I better align my will with God’s?

Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld

I have often read these passages and judged Peter in his correction of Jesus. However, reading these passages this week has made me realize how often I act as if I know better than Jesus, even when I don’t want to admit it. My actions sometimes reveal my struggle to trust Him completely.

Even though Jesus promises His grace is enough and that His power is strongest in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), I still try to do things on my own to appear strong. Even though He says He will never leave me (Hebrews 13:5), I sometimes look elsewhere for comfort. For both Peter and me, fear often lies at the root of our actions.

Hearing Jesus speak of His death must have been terrifying for His disciples. Despite Jesus preparing them and explaining what was to come, they could not grasp it. Fear grows when reality departs from expectations, and I can relate to how easily uncertainty fuels anxiety in our hearts.

Fear and anxiety are very real for many people right now. Their futures may seem uncertain, and what they were working toward has changed. Jesus understands the weight of these emotions and invites us to come to Him. Reflect on these words from Jesus:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Jesus is clear that following Him involves surrender and daily letting go of our need for control. Yes, this is difficult. But He also promises that trusting Him leads to deeper joy and peace, even when fear is present. Ultimately, because He knows us best, His way can be trusted.

Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach 

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org