Take up the Cross and Follow

Jesus Calls for Justice and Mercy

Parable of the Great Dinner

Matthew 16:24-28 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?
27-28 “Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.”

For Reflection

What is it about suffering? Jesus suffered for our sake so that we could understand how to develop a working relationship with God. Our souls have been injected with a deep desire to reconcile with God.  It is the reason we are so restless and feel a nagging need for something we can't quite get a handle on.  When we suffer, that need is more demanding. When we suffer we call on God in a very authentic way. It is only then, in the times of stress, that we invite the light of God to enter our souls. The light is transformative and we begin to understand that our purpose in life is to be like Christ. Filled with the Holy Spirit, we reject our former ways and adopt a new pattern of interaction based on love and service to each other.  We understand that God does not intend to set us on Earth and then abandon us to our egos. Instead, God shows us the way to a new life of love rest and peace. In this way, we enter the Kingdom of God and are bestowed with the Grace, Power, Joy, and the capacity to connect with each other in a spiritual way that will change the world. In his suffering, Job saw God and his glorious role in the Kingdom and he and his family were changed forever.

Pray

Pray, worship God and follow Christ. Let God's light displace the darkness of secular patterns and give you peace and the ability to see God's creation in a new and fulfilling way.

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