TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
Keywords 16:25
For whoever wants to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
1. When Jesus
revealed the suffering he would experience, Peter took him aside like a
protective service agent and denounced any of it would ever come to him. Peter
was telling Jesus that suffering is something that can and should be avoided.
In response, Jesus gave one of his harshest rebukes recorded, saying, “Get behind me, Satan!”
2. Life is
precious, but one cannot live life trying to avoid or deny suffering without
losing oneself in the process. Instead, Jesus said that one must deny
themselves and take up their cross. Be courageous and vulnerable, and expect
the inevitable mistakes, failure, pain, and rejection. If we could avoid all of
that, we would have no need for a savior. A life lived without suffering may
not experience the stuff of real life, which includes grace, redemption,
gratitude, joy, and love. Suffering also produces in us compassion for others
who are suffering.
Prayer Lord, thank you for
coming as the Savior of humanity, as the Messiah who is familiar with
suffering. May we take off the armor of fear and insecurity and, even in our
shame, experience your saving grace. Sow seeds of your kingdom from the
remnants of our suffering, as you brought salvation from the depths of the
grave.
One Word Experience loss, find your soul
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