Good morning sisters and brothers,
We've just seen Herod puzzling over who Jesus is; now Jesus asks the disciples what people are saying about the same question. The disciples dutifully report the leading theories: John the Baptist or one of the biblical prophets, even Elijah. Jesus doesn't let the disciples off with just reporting what others think; he also wants to know who they think he is. Peter hits the nail on the head: we can picture him answering without a pause that Jesus is the Messiah. In some of the other Gospel accounts Peter's insight is quickly followed by a rebuke because he challenges Jesus about the need to be crucified. In Luke's version this episode is left out.
But Jesus' words about being killed are certainly not left out. Right after hearing Peter say that he is the Messiah, Jesus makes it clear that he is not exactly the Messiah they are expecting. He tells them that he will be rejected, killed and raised again. For Jesus, and for us as his followers, power goes along with suffering. The Messiah suffers rejection, his followers take up their cross, and true life is gained by losing our life. Even though we forget it sometimes, success for Christians is defined in terms of the kingdom of God, not in terms of popularity or security. I wonder what it means for us to take up our cross today.
God bless,
Sam
Luke 9:18-27
18Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” 20He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” 21He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 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.”
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. 24For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 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. 27But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
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Sam,
ReplyDeleteI tried posting this but not sure it went through.
Jesus tells the disciples that some will not die before seeing the kingdom of God. Is he talking about the second coming? I've always had questions about Revelations and the timing of the second coming. I grew up in an area where revivals were common and the pastors threatened the congregation with judgment day and the second coming to get people to repent and accept Jesus. If Jesus is talking about the second coming in Luke, and the human race is still here nearly 2000 years later, it makes me question the relevance of the scripture and if the second coming will occur or just a scare tactic.
Hi Linn,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it didn't go through, which is too bad because it's a great comment/question. If you don't mind, I'll try to post it along with my response. You're right, Jesus is talking about the second coming. Jesus along with most leaders of the early church believed that God's kingdom would come in the immediate future. This line that some standing there would live to see the kingdom is the clearest example of that. Paul says things in a similar vein ("We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.") Jesus and pretty much all the New Testament writers thought the kingdom was right around the corner and yet, here we are two thousand years later. What do we do with that?
In some ways we can say, well, Jesus just got that one wrong. After all, he was fully human and it goes along with being human not to know everything. When people ask him when the kingdom will come Jesus, himself says that he doesn't know and neither does anyone else except for God the Father. I think that's the core of what we can say about the timing of the second coming and Revelation: it's not for us to know the timing.
I don't think that means the second coming is irrelevant or a scare tactic, though it is certainly true that some Christians use it that way. The Book of Revelation is the most detailed presentation of the end of history and it's purpose is to give Christians hope, not fear. The point is for us to know that even though it doesn't feel like it sometimes, ultimately God is in charge and one day that will be obvious. One day the things that are wrong in the world will be made right and God's justice and peace will be real for everyone. That idea is sometimes scary because I know I don't always live like God is in charge, but for the most part it's a promise of hope because God will bring peace to the world. We don't know when but we pray with Christians from the beginning of the church to now in words near the end of Revelation: Amen, Come Lord Jesus!"
Thanks for a great and honest comment, and I hope my response helps. I'd love to talk more about this with you sometime.
thanks,
Sam