Matthew 16:21-28 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 16:21-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Verse 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." Verse 23But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
Verse 24Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Verse 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. Verse 26For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Verse 27"For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Verse 28Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Devotion
“Happy! Happy!” is a silly song sung at our wedding. Considering how difficult the first year of marriage can be, the song is more ironic than silly. Happiness, it turns out, is not the goal. Instead, the goal is commitment, honor, respect and love. Happiness may be desirable. But slogging through the messiness of emotion, pain and yearning to achieve true connection is even better.
Likewise, Peter enjoyed the emotional “highs” of being Jesus’ disciple. In today’s text, he had just come off one: “Blessed are you … upon this rock …” Jesus told him. Wow! Then Jesus goes on a “downer-fest” by predicting his death.
So is the idea of happiness just cruel irony?
God gives abundant life. But “abundant” doesn’t mean a surplus of things. Abundant life overflows with joy, sorrow, mystery, wonder, agony and confusion – all results of a world filled with evil as well as God’s good creations.
Jesus knew of his death. But he saw it not for what it meant for him personally, but for what it could become – life for all.
Prayer
God, grant me the wisdom to invest my life freely in the journey of humankind. Help me to fully claim my humanity and creature-hood while owning the mystery of being chosen by a God who could have loved anything else, but loves me. Amen.
Note to readers: Marcia has struggled with cancer for several years, and is now calmly awaiting her victory celebration over death. She is at home with family. Please hold them in your prayers.