Thank you to all of those who shared their devotions over the past two weeks. I have to admit it was frustrating in the beginning when hardly anyone picked their choice of devotion and I was constantly sending out pleas to you guys over and over again. During that time, I wanted to give up.
Then I had a God moment; is this what God feels like every time I fall short? Because I have fallen short so many times and continue to do so. It reminded me of the parable of the Two Debtors… “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” Because God has supported and forgiven me, I must also replicate that love to those around me.
(Also, you can still share your devotion!)
In today’s scripture, Jesus predicts His death. In our devotion God’s Plan Part II, we see that Jesus is confirming what was written over 700 years ago about him by the prophet Isaiah. The disciples did not fully grasp the significance of the words Jesus was speaking as Jesus rebukes Peter (Matthew 16:22-23). Maybe they thought that Jesus was telling another parable, and he was speaking figuratively.
We put a lot of emphasis on what God does for us, rather than what is required of us. In verses 23-26 of today’s scripture, Jesus requires a response from us.
If we look at his disciples, when he called Simon (in Luke 5) we saw that Simon, who was a fisherman, leaves his Job that day and follows Jesus. There was no thinking how am I going to pay my bills, how am I going to look after my family. He saw something greater than all these things-Jesus the Son of God, Saviour of Mankind.
Jesus requires a response from us when we hear the Gospel. In scripture, He always requires a response from the people with whom He connects with. Jesus offers Grace, but with Grace comes responsibilities. If we look a the story of the women caught in adultery (John 8:3–11), Jesus shows the woman Grace because by law , she should have been put to death, but because of Jesus’ love, he forgives her of her sins. We often stop there with the story, showing God’s love and grace. However, if we read on, there is a response required of the woman. We see in verse 11 Jesus says “…sin no more.”
In the next week, as we move closer to Easter weekend:
What is your response to hearing the Gospel?
Don’t you think verses 23-27 are a good place to start?
Jesus Predicts His Death
21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
0 Comments