The story of Christianity is also a story of many martyrs, such as Eric Liddell (the film Chariots of Fire tells his story). The Olympic athlete and missionary knew he faced an uncertain future in China but still chose to go, in the same way that Jesus, here, chooses to continue to Jerusalem (v 32). Have there been points in your journey where it has been hard to choose to continue? 

In every missionary journey there is the constant presence of the shadow of the cross – the knowledge of being called to follow Jesus and that the following is costly and may embrace suffering or even death, as Jesus explains to his disciples in this passage. As Jesus walks up to Jerusalem with his disciples, he is aware of what is awaiting him (vs 33,34). He makes it known to the twelve that tough days are inevitable, but also gives them the larger picture of the salvation narrative. Those who follow are afraid because it is a known fact that a conspiracy is being hatched to get rid of Jesus. 

Here, Jesus is giving them a realistic picture of discipleship. It is going to be costly. Was that clear to you when you began to follow Jesus? There are many places around the world where choosing to follow Jesus is a risky option and the shadow of the cross is apparent.