Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
The Third Day
Matthew 16:24-28
New International Version
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[f] 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? 27 For
the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels,
and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”The Message
24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
For Reflection
The paradox in verses 25 and 26 (NIV) encapsulates the counter intuitive core of the Christian faith. The Message interpretation illuminates the will of God.
Pray
that you will forsake self-help for self-sacrifice. Pray that you will put your soul in the hands of our risen lord.
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