Honestly, by the third attempt at something, we have a chance to tweak what is wrong and finally "get it right." Bakers rarely feel the first time they bake something that it is perfect. The saying is old, but still in our lexicon. French and Spanish have similar sayings, too.
Communications 101 taught us that we must tell people something three times for it to be committed to memory. Somehow, things stick on the third telling.
For today's Lent passage, Jesus is taking his third attempt at telling the disciples that his death is coming. They did not want to hear it. Was it selective hearing? In retrospect, it would all become clear, but at the time it did not sink in.
"They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”-Mark 10:32-34
Not a pleasant prediction, so did the disciples close their ears to the possibility? It made no sense. Jesus was healing people. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He did not pick a fight, but he did not back down when the religious leaders poked at him, trying to catch him breaking a law. They were out to get him, and he was fully aware.
Three times Jesus tried to tell them, but they were still surprised. At that moment, Jesus was being sought out and celebrated by many. The idea of everyone turning on him seemed unlikely at the height of his popularity with the common people as well as some of the powerful Roman citizens.
Were they too caught up in the Passover festivities? Did the Palm Sunday triumphal entry make them overly confident? With Holy Week ahead, are we preparing our hearts?
"Three days later he will rise.” Oh, that third day is coming!
Today, I am grateful that the "third time's a charm."
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