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Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

 

As usual, there is a lot of subject matter to choose from. For today, I am thinking about the humanity of Jesus, when he refers to Peter as “Satan.” I hear emotion, maybe anger, maybe more in Jesus’. The following are conjectures, as I cannot profess to be a scholar. What was Jesus feeling as he prepared to go to the cross? Was he experiencing fear of intense pain, humility and suffering? Though Deity, with full power and authority, he was also human. How could he not feel fear and other emotions? With intensity such as to cause him to sweat blood, he prayed that if it could somehow be in his Father’s will, that this cup (sacrificial death) might pass from him. Satan, via Jesus’ beloved Peter, seemed to be proposing a free pass to instant kingdom. Was this a tempting offer for Jesus? Of course Jesus did not succumb to temptation, but Peter’s words surely evoked a sharp response.

The pain Jesus must have suffered on that cross is unimaginable to me, as is the humility. Why is it important to consider this aspect of his death? Should we be feeling more guilt and shame because of what he had to go through? Nope. We can just take a moment to count the cost. We were bought with a huge price, because we are dearly loved! If a multi-millionaire purchases a lovely gift for me, of course I would be grateful. But if a loved one scrimped and saved to buy me something, or used all their creativity and effort to design something for me, how much more would I appreciate it!? We count the cost not to bring shame upon ourselves, but to revel in our value to our Savior and Lord.

Dear Jesus, you ask us to pick up our own crosses. We are not strong. Thank you for providing the strength we need. Strengthen us today and every day so we can carry what you have for us until we meet you in glory! Amen!

Juli Hampton Ham10five@gmail.com

 

Prayer Concern: That the rich (rich in money, wisdom, time, strength – whatever) would appreciate their wealth, and share to glorify God

Song for reflection:

“On a hill, far away, stood an old, rugged cross, the emblem of Suffering and Shame,

And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, ‘til my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it one day for a crown.”

(George Bernard/George John Lewis)