Title: Let's Love My Share of the Cross
Let's love our share of the cross (Matthew 16:21-24)
The ministry of Jesus' public life is divided into the first part of convincing the disciples that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah, and the latter part of the work, showing what the Messiah's mission is and how to carry it out. The text is the door of the second half of the ministry and records the prophecies of Jesus' passion and resurrection and Peter's response. To Jesus' prophecy, Peter immediately replied, "No, this will never happen to you" (21). Jesus replied, "Get behind me, Satan; you are a stumbling block to me."
Shortly after hearing the praise of the confession of faith, Peter turns into Satan. Why did Peter say this? Most scholars interpret it as to enjoy the popularity of Jesus, but Peter, who loved Jesus, seems to have the will to not watch Jesus die. This is humanly grateful, but contrary to God's will. Peter forgot Jesus' heart to give his life as a ransom (Matthew 20:28).
What is Satan's true nature? As the saying goes, “You are the one who makes me stumble,” he is the one who makes me stumble. He is the one who makes people think about the things of men and not the things of God. A person who with human compassion hinders obedience to the will of God.
Therefore, even though you know what God's will is, you can't do anything compassionately, so you shouldn't say anything nice to people. There are many times when we are enslaved to Satan without realizing it.
Jesus tells us that if you want to be my disciple, anyone who wants to come after me must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
How can we follow the cross of the Lord?
(1) Deny yourself
What is true self-denial? Barclay said, "To deny oneself is to affirm God." To follow God's will rather than my own, and to follow the Lord's interests rather than my own. It is a life that abandons the self-centered life and makes God's will the governing principle and ideal of life. Those who live and writhe cannot fully walk the way of the cross. You must be thoroughly humble and humble. You can never bear the cross if you are proud.
(2) Take up your cross,
No matter how good the conditions of the world are, everyone has their share of the cross. Parents, husbands, wives, children, brothers, poverty, disease, and persecution are all crosses. Whatever the shape of the cross, if it is a gift from God, you must bear it and drink the cup. The cross of the family, church, and nation must also be carried with joy and thanksgiving. The cross is a tool for execution. So, to take up the cross means to die.
(3) You will follow me.
what is the cross At first glance, it seems like a burden to carry, so when it is difficult and difficult, everyone leaves the cross. How many people, after zealously following the Lord, become successful and become corrupt and forsake Jesus? We must take up our cross and follow the Lord.
concluding remarks
Today's verse shows the two sides of Peter. The reason Peter, who had been praised, received a terrible rebuke was because he tried to block the way of the cross with human emotions. Jesus said that he would take up his cross and follow me. Just as Jesus carried the cross, let us take up our share of the cross and follow Him.