How did the disciples miss this

Twenty-three times Jesus made direct or indirect reference to his death and resurrection. And yet, the disciples never understood what he was talking about.

Once, after he told them he would die and be raised from the dead, the disciples “discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ might mean” (P. 146 The Jesus Story). But they never asked Jesus to explain himself.

During the fourth year of his ministry Jesus said, “The Son of Man will be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and after he is killed he will be raised from the dead on the third day” (p. 150 TJS). Following this we read, “They were filled with grief, even though they didn’t understand what he meant. They were kept from understanding and were afraid to ask” (p. 150 TJS).

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, and the final week of his life, he gave the disciples a detailed description of his upcoming suffering and death. And then he said, “But on the third day he will rise again” (P. 200 TJS).

And yet, “They understood nothing of what he told them, however. The meaning was hidden from them, and they could not comprehend what he was saying” (p. 200 TJS).

Why didn’t the disciples understanding something so simple?

Let me know what you think and next week I’ll share what caused the disciples spiritual blindness and how we can avoid it.