 |
| When Self-esteem met Self-denial. Image created by Ross Cochrane and Morguefile |
Matthew 16:21-28Common English Bible (CEB)
First prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and legal experts, and that he had to be killed and raised on the third day. 22 Then Peter took hold of Jesus and, scolding him, began to correct him: “God forbid, Lord! This won’t happen to you.” 23 But he turned to Peter and said,“Get behind me, Satan. You are a stone that could make me stumble, for you are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.”
Saving and losing life
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. 25 All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me will find them. 26 Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives? What will people give in exchange for their lives? 27 For the Human One[a] is about to come with the majesty of his Father with his angels. And then he will repay each one for what that person has done. 28 I assure you that some standing here won’t die before they see the Human One[b] coming in his kingdom.”
Footnotes:
- Matthew 16:27 Or Son of Man
- Matthew 16:28 Or Son of Man
Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
Art credit: http://pastorross1.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/matthew-1624-26-when-self-esteem-met-self-denial/grunge-rust-angels/
Art credit: http://pastorross1.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/matthew-1624-26-when-self-esteem-met-self-denial/grunge-rust-angels/
Read verse 24 again. About what do you need to say, "No," to yourself today? What of your thoughts, your feelings, are in the way of your living closer to, more deeply with Jesus?
ReplyDelete