Pentecost 15

(NIV)

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 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! 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. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 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?

Peter speaks strongly against what Jesus says is going to happen. What types of things do we strongly not want to happen? What do we forbid or speak against?

We would not want to face a weather related catastrophe such as the recent hurricanes. We don’t even want it to rain if the rain would spoil an outdoor event.

We don’t want to hear words like “crown” or “root canal” from the dentist.

“Cancer” is a word that some people refuse to even say.

As Christians, we don’t want to commit sin and we don’t want our fellow Christians to give in to temptation either.

There are indeed many things to which we would say “God forbid!”

Illustration: Under normal circumstances, we would not want someone to cut open our chest, spread our ribs apart, and make a huge incision in us. And yet, some of you have had that done. Why did you allow this to happen? Because you trusted that in spite of the incision and the pain, something good was going to come out of it. Even this extreme example pales in comparison to what Jesus told his disciples was going to happen. But the point is clear. Out of even the worst of circumstances, God brings about what is best. (see passages on how Jesus’ sacrifice brought about the salvation of the world).

Romans 5:6–11 NIV

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 NIV

9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

This event was not easy on anybody. Jesus himself would agonize over what was about to happen. The grief that Jesus’ loved ones endured was almost unbearable. Movies of the death of Jesus such as The Passion still brings tears to the eyes of the faithful and quiet sobbing can be heard in theatres when it was played by even the most stoic of men. And so we can understand Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ teaching about what was to come.

In our text we have Jesus teaching his disciples that this was about to happen to him. This event was not easy on anybody. Jesus himself would agonize over what was about to happen. The grief that Jesus’ loved ones endured was almost unbearable. Movies of the death of Jesus such as The Passion still brings tears to the eyes of the faithful and quiet sobbing can be heard in theatres when it was played by even the most stoic of men. And so we can understand Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ teaching about what was to come.

We can understand his reaction but not agree with it. This is something that Jesus had to do and any attempt to stop him (even by those closest to him) should be regarded as nothing less than Satan’s desperate attempts to ruin God’s plans.

And that is what Satan does. He attempts to ruin God’s plans. Here Jesus calls the old evil foe “Satan”. “Satan” means adversary. Elsewhere we are taught how he seek to ruin God’s plans. (See passages where “Satan” is used.)

1 Chronicles 21:1 NIV

1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

Job 1:9–11 NIV

9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

Zechariah 3:1–2 NIV

1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 NIV

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.

Jesus remains steadfast. This is the base of our hope of salvation.

Jesus remains steadfast.

He then uses this event to reinforce his teaching on the type of commitment we are to have to him which surpasses all other goals . . . or it should. Our response to what Jesus has done for us is that we are to dedicate our entire lives to him and be committed to putting him first in all that we do. Instead of giving specific commands on how to do that, Jesus uses figures of speech. “Taking up our cross” and “Denying ourselves” and “Losing our lives.”

What does he mean? We are to prioritize our lives so that we commit ourselves to him and follow God’s commands above our own will and the norm that the world impresses upon us.

Illustration: I know people complain about how much money professional athletes make just for playing a sport. But what we don’t always appreciate is how dedicated many are to their profession and what they give up to be the best that they can be. We may think that going for several walks a day is helpful (which it really is), but who of us would physically train for eight hours a day six days a week to be stronger, faster, and more precise? Who of us would risk permanent brain injury at work or a serious knee injury?

Some may argue that they do it for the money. And some may very well do that. But I can’t help but think of what one athlete said several years ago. His goal in making money was so that he would have more money to give to others. A rarity to be sure. In any case many are willing to sacrifice and work hard to achieve something great. Jesus teaches us to work hard at sacrificing and doing for others as we follow him. Anything less is a sin.

Specific sin. Who does that anymore? It seems so much easier to excuse our lack of commitment and to blame others than to overcome any obstacles to serve the Lord. This is the exact opposite of what Jesus did and taught.

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Peter balked at what Jesus was planning to do. He himself would struggle to follow Jesus perfectly. But later he would also write: (NIV)

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.