TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

Passage: Matthew 16:21-28

Key verse: 25

NIV

Jesus Predicts His Death(A)

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem(B) and suffer many things(C) at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,(D) and that he must be killed(E) and on the third day(F) be raised to life.(G)

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!(H) You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.(I) 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.(J) 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man(K) is going to come(L) in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.(M)

28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 16:25 The Greek word means either life or soul; also in verse 26.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

21 (A)From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that (B)he must go to Jerusalem and (C)suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on (D)the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord![a] This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, (E)“Get behind me, Satan! You are (F)a hindrance[b] to me. For you (G)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 (H)deny himself and (I)take up his cross and follow me. 25 For (J)whoever would save his life[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For (K)what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or (L)what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 (M)For the Son of Man is going to come with (N)his angels in the glory of his Father, and (O)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 (P)taste death (Q)until they see the Son of Man (R)coming in his kingdom.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 16:22 Or “[May God be] merciful to you, Lord!”
  2. Matthew 16:23 Greek stumbling block
  3. Matthew 16:25 The same Greek word can mean either soul or life, depending on the context; twice in this verse and twice in verse 26
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

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!”

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.