Matthew 16:21-28
Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
“Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.”
February 26th, 2007 at 11:10 am
“Don’t run from suffering; embrace it.” How tough is that to hear - and put into practice?? Last week I asked some people to pray about the tension I’m having to deal with in my job at the moment, and the clear response from God was that the tension isn’t going to go away - this is what God is calling me to - this is what I need to deal with - and embrace! In some ways it’s reassuring to be reminded that God knows what I’m going through - and that he’s with me in it. But how much do I just want to run away?! God, help me to embrace what is painful.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Absolutely Francis!
It’s very counter cultural to our society that instead of Jesus saying I can make you happy, thin, sexy and rick he said “self help is no help at all. Self sacrifice is the way”
Ouch
February 26th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
And yet so many non-Christians still give to charity and do other selfless things - there must be something good about helping others instead of being selfish all the time. The Lord works in mysterious ways…