Title Two kinds of work
Contents
Hymn: 355 (New Hymn No. 323) 'This Body Is Called Out'
Meditation: Are you fully devoted to the work of God?
Confession of Faith: Apostles' Creed
Text: “… Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:21-24).
Humans work and live. Others work for themselves, for their neighbors, or for God. The text speaks about God's work and man's work.
Jesus asks his disciples. “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15) At this time, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus praised Simon, saying, “You did not say that, but God made you do it” (Matthew 16:17). But in verse 23, he rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan... You are not thinking about the things of God, but rather the things of men."
Why did Jesus rebuke Peter? This is because Peter saw Jesus as the political Messiah, not the Messiah of salvation. There are surprisingly many people today who think like Peter. Some people think of Jesus as a good moral rabbi. The Lord taught these people to have the right perspective. It is intended to correct Peter's point of view. That is why Jesus made a distinction between God's work and man's work.
Then, what is God's work and what is man's work?
God's work is not to work for the food that perishes, but to work for the food of eternal life (John 6:29). God's work is to fulfill the works that Jesus did on this earth (Matthew 4:23).
But when Jesus was about to die on the cross, Peter resisted this. This is a human thing. It is a man's job to pursue what he wants, that is, to block the work of redemption (Matt.
Then, what kind of blessing will God give to those who do the work of God? He gives the blessing of eternal life (Mt 16:25) and repays each person according to their deeds (Mt 16:27).
Jesus said this for the work of God. “Seek ye therefore first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Prayer: Almighty Heavenly Father, help us not to spend our lives in vain, but to devote ourselves fully to your work. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Lord's Prayer