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- Apr 25, 2006
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- 18,404
5 August 2008
Word on the Web
Pray First
'Never, Lord!' How often is this phrase on our lips, on our hearts, in our actions?
'Dear Lord ... hear my prayer.'
Matthew 16:21-28
From then on, Jesus began telling his disciples what would happen to him. He said, "I must go to Jerusalem. There the nation's leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make me suffer terribly. I will be killed, but three days later I will rise to life."
Peter took Jesus aside and told him to stop talking like that. He said, "God would never let this happen to you, Lord!"
Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Satan, get away from me! You're in my way because you think like everyone else and not like God."
Then Jesus said to his disciples:
If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul? The Son of Man will soon come in the glory of his Father and with his angels to reward all people for what they have done. I promise you that some of those standing here will not die before they see the Son of Man coming with his kingdom.
Main Point
In the poem 'Five ways to kill a man' by Edwin Brock, the poet looks at a world where so many people seem to have all that they could possibly want, but nevertheless they are living dead.
Early in the twentieth century, scientific advances and globalisation led some to suggest that humanity was approaching a sort of utopia. But world wars, genocide and the slowly emerging effects of environmental devastation exposed the myth.
Pursuing material comfort at all cost does not bring the rewards hoped for. Or, as Jesus put it, 'What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself?
Money and possessions permeate our lives today to an extent never before known in history: self-denial of any sort is a difficult task. But Jesus, the Son of God, gave up all he had to bring us life.
His message - to deny ourselves, to take up a cross, to lose our lives for him - if taken seriously, has never been more of a challenge. Yet this, paradoxically, is still the way to true life.
Reflect
What does your following of Jesus look like? Have you taken up your cross or are there parts of discipleship that just seem too hard?
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army
Word on the Web
Pray First
'Never, Lord!' How often is this phrase on our lips, on our hearts, in our actions?
'Dear Lord ... hear my prayer.'
Matthew 16:21-28
From then on, Jesus began telling his disciples what would happen to him. He said, "I must go to Jerusalem. There the nation's leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make me suffer terribly. I will be killed, but three days later I will rise to life."
Peter took Jesus aside and told him to stop talking like that. He said, "God would never let this happen to you, Lord!"
Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Satan, get away from me! You're in my way because you think like everyone else and not like God."
Then Jesus said to his disciples:
If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul? The Son of Man will soon come in the glory of his Father and with his angels to reward all people for what they have done. I promise you that some of those standing here will not die before they see the Son of Man coming with his kingdom.
Main Point
In the poem 'Five ways to kill a man' by Edwin Brock, the poet looks at a world where so many people seem to have all that they could possibly want, but nevertheless they are living dead.
Early in the twentieth century, scientific advances and globalisation led some to suggest that humanity was approaching a sort of utopia. But world wars, genocide and the slowly emerging effects of environmental devastation exposed the myth.
Pursuing material comfort at all cost does not bring the rewards hoped for. Or, as Jesus put it, 'What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself?
Money and possessions permeate our lives today to an extent never before known in history: self-denial of any sort is a difficult task. But Jesus, the Son of God, gave up all he had to bring us life.
His message - to deny ourselves, to take up a cross, to lose our lives for him - if taken seriously, has never been more of a challenge. Yet this, paradoxically, is still the way to true life.
Reflect
What does your following of Jesus look like? Have you taken up your cross or are there parts of discipleship that just seem too hard?
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army
