Defining Moments: Taking up Your Cross

 

Sundays sermon began with Pastor Jerry reading from Matthew 16:21-28,  He then explained it is good to check what happened prior to the reading.  Jesus had asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?”  And then, “Who do YOU say that I am.” 

Peter quickly acknowledged, “You are the Messiah the Son of the Living God.  We might wonder what Jesus thought about Peter’s confession.  Jesus called him a rock and they he would have the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 

Peter misunderstood all that Jesus was trying to tell them of his impending suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection. 

Again Peter quickly reprimanded Jesus and said this can’t be true. 

Jesus scolded Peter and told him that he was thinking as a mere human man and was not mindful of the things of God. 

Jesus said there would be much suffering and trials ahead.  He knew the sequence of events would take time in passing. 

The disciples could not conceive spiritual revelation and thought Jesus meant he would be run out of town again. 

Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

Peter made his great confession, but then the rock crumbled.  As we look at Peter we are reminded that we too are human and often skim over spiritual truth. 

 

The deep things of God must be longed for and sought after.  As we read God’s Word, we often glide over and read quickly all that God offers us as believers. 

Pastor suggested that we as Christians may have suffering ahead of us here in the United States, that at present we cannot fathom.   

Jesus calls us to follow Him and to take the risk of obedience. 

How will we respond to changes in our church and in our lives?  To put aside our traditions and comforts and be willing to become a “Transformed Church.” 

Dreams and imaginations are required and we must realize that WE are the “rocks” upon which Jesus Christ is building His church.   

All of us are holding the keys to the Kingdom, and what a responsibility is ours.

 

May we all be followers of Jesus Christ and be willing to take up our cross.