By Pieter Vermeulen, ICC Board Member, as part of a series, “Persecuted but not Forsaken.” The turning point of the gospel story occurs when Jesus begins to explain to his disciples that his mission will lead to suffering. Until that moment, many of them believed the Messiah would establish a visible kingdom of power and victory. They expected liberation, restoration, and triumph. But Jesus reveals something entirely different. The road ahead leads to Jerusalem. And in Jerusalem, the Messiah will suffer.