Luke 9:18-27 (NRSV)
Read Luke 9:18-27 on biblegateway.com
Verse 18Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" Verse 19They answered, "John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen." Verse 20He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." Verse 21He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, Verse 22saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." Verse 23Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Verse 24For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. Verse 25What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Verse 26Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Verse 27But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
Devotion
Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” We sort of smile to ourselves as Peter answers: “The Christ of God.” It is clearly the right answer, but poor Peter does not yet know the full implications of that answer. Jesus has Peter be quiet with that answer for a while; there were to be some coming surprises (like dying) tied to that answer. Fortunately for us, on this side of the cross, we will not be surprised with what it means for Jesus to be “the Christ of God”… will we?
Prayer
Jesus, surprise us. Amen.