Matthew 16:21-28
Grace peace and mercy from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we first went to Alaska three years ago I knew that was a place I wanted to move to. However, there was more to consider than just my longing moving there. My lovely bride wasn't as enthusiastic about such a move. Our children wouldn't be thrilled either since the family is pretty close.
I could hold on and try to force the issue or realize that I was part of a larger family that may be better off if such a move didn't occur.
Regardless of whether we were ever to move to Alaska that feeling on my part was a defining moment. From that point on I viewed Alaska with a much different perspective.
Jesus and Peter have defining moments in our Gospel reading. Jesus shares His fate with the disciples and begins His final journey to Jerusalem. Peter also has a defining moment; Satan takes control and uses Peter's selfish nature to try to deter Jesus from His mission. Peter is attempting to hold on to the human Jesus as friend and teacher not realizing he is attempting to derail the bigger plan, salvation of the whole world. This is an interesting parallel to Satan tempting Jesus in the desert to take an easier path by giving into selfish temptations. That certainly would be a very human inclination to take the easy path, but Jesus is not just human He is God and man.
In our reading Jesus tells the disciples that those who take up their cross and follow will live. That seems like a strange thing to tell them after sharing the plan for His life. Jesus ultimately carried the burden of the cross to the death of His human body for the sake of the world.
What does Jesus mean by taking up our cross? In Roman times it could very well mean to carry a wooden cross to a designated place to be crucified just like Jesus and many criminals of that day died in that manner. As it was the disciples had already endured persecution by following Jesus. We don't really understand the cost because we have not really endured persecution. We haven't been cut off from family as though we were dead to the world; imprisoned or beaten or refused work or entrance to the church to worship because of our faith. Jesus' followers were seeing all of these things happening around them. The disciples took great risks to follow Jesus so do many Christians of today.
In our country taking up our cross is any selfless action that is to God's glory. We don't experience the persecution in a physical sense; however it's still a sacrifice of sorts. There are many things great and small that fit that definition. Preaching, teaching, sharing, caring for others needs, or simply holding a hand of someone in difficult times.
Perhaps it's only an hour or two a week to prepare and give a lesson to a young mind eager to learn. Perhaps it's placing oneself in peril to treat a patient with a contagious disease, or the physical and financial burden of caring for a loved one that can no longer care for them self. Maybe it's evangelizing in a place unfriendly to Christians.
Our Epistle and Old Testament readings provide us with two extremes of the same spectrum. Jeremiah laments that he is suffering as he performs his duty to warn Judah to return to the Lord to live. Jeremiah gives the impression he is better than the persecution he receives. However, God sets Jeremiah straight by giving the same message to him that he was instructed to tell Judah, return to God and live. Don't we sometimes feel we are above others; our time is more precious than that of anyone else. God gave Jeremiah a strong clear message all of His children are on the same playing field, be patient and look to the Lord.
Then there is Paul who takes great joy in serving the Lord despite the perils. Paul endured beatings and imprisonment but never wavered. In our Epistle reading he shares the qualities of the perfect congregation. They are not to be slothful in zeal and fervent in spirit and to serve the Lord. They are to rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation. They should love their enemies and one another. They should associate with the lowly and act in humility. As much as they can, they should live peaceably and never seek vengeance because that is for God. Their enemies should know their kindness and not their wrath.
Paul is focused on the joy of sharing the burden, Jeremiah's lament is focused on the sacrifice. Sadly, most of us identify more with Jeremiah than Paul. In our culture it's all about me, what's the cost to me? Woe is me when things don't go the way I want. Volunteer, my time is more important than that.
Paul represents true repentance the man of sin is dead and the rebirth in the knowledge of Christ's love.
Christ walked the same path as the disciples. He felt the same pain, endured the same trials, and cried the same tears. He even died a cruel death for them and for us. He doesn't ask anyone to do more than He did. In fact, he asked less. He asked us to believe in Him and live. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us along the way and build our faith. On that foundation of faith we are moved to respond and take up our cross. We are moved past the focus on the sacrifice and on to the joy of sharing the burden.
As Peter matured in his faith he moved past the focus on the sacrifice. He stumbled a few times but ultimately he was the rock.
What would the world be if more people were like Paul than like Jeremiah? Would every mouth be fed? Would every medical necessity be met? Would bitter hearts be changed? Would every church be full of people? Would those seeking answers see and hear a clear message of Jesus' love?
If you are a Jeremiah pray about how you can become a Paul and if you are a Paul pray about how can you help Jeremiahs be like Pauls?
In the name of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
