“They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” Mark 9.30-32
“In the spring of 1945, a group of Baylor students prayed for spiritual renewal for 90 straight days. Their prayers led to a movement that helped inspire ministries on campus and around the world, from the Journeyman mission program to the Passion Conferences. Next week, hundreds of Baylor students again gathered in Jesus’ name for FM72, a 72-hour on-campus prayer and worship event coordinated by Baylor’s Office of Spiritual Life,” (for more info visit this link.)
I work and serve on the Baylor University campus where this kind of thing is normal: 72 hours of prayer for the renewal of our campus and our nation. Three days of worship, prayer, and revival—seeking the Lord both individually and collectively for the sake of the gospel and the growth of the kingdom.
In Mark 9:30-32, the writer tells us that Jesus was leaving one place and passing through Galilee, but he did not want anyone to know where they were because he was teaching his disciples something of great importance. What Jesus was telling them was about a three-day journey he would be taking from death to life. 72 hours of agony, despair, and brokenness in which Jesus’ body would be taken from a bloodied cross and laid in a borrowed tomb.
Imagine the disciples’ surprise, confusion, and fear (v.32) when Jesus spoke to them about this teaching. That he, as the Son of Man, would be “delivered into the hands of men” who would kill him but three days later he would rise—well, this kind of talk was not only disturbing but unfamiliar.
Three days doesn’t seem like very long to us. Friday to Sunday, a three-day week typically flies by pretty quickly. But when your loved one has died, the Messiah and Hope of the world, the hours drag by slowly. This would be Jesus’ fate for the redemption of the world. Just 72 hours in the grave before the resurrection of the One in whom we place our trust.
Fast forward 2000 years, and we have events like FM72 on college campuses which coincidentally happen near the beginning of Holy Week. This is a time in which we reflect upon our need for renewal and the Christ who made forgiveness of sins and friendship with God possible.
I invite you to join me in prayer beginning this Sunday for those students who are seeking Christ at Baylor and other college campuses. I invite you to seek the One who gave his life for the world so we might have abundant life today and eternal life to come.
“O Lord God, you are doing a new work among us. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Help me know your grace and to find truth in your name. I love you, Lord, and praise you. Come again into my heart. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen.