Prepare: Is suffering part of God's plan of salvation?
Read: Luke 9: 18-27
Today's passage challenges us to take a stand for Jesus and to follow in His footsteps.
A clear understanding: Even the ones who were closest to Jesus could not understand why He had to go through suffering. The preaching of the Cross was a stumbling block and sometimes foolishness (1 Cor 1:23) to them as they expected the Messiah to be a conquering king. To them death meant defeat. Jesus taught them clearly as to what was going to happen to Him so that they would understand His mission after the coming of the Holy Spirit and would carry the gospel to the nations (Acts 2).
Our understanding of Jesus deepens as we spend more time with His Word and commune with Him frequently.
A clarion call: As followers of the Lord, we are called to deny our selfish desire to use our time, talents and money as we like and choose our own way. We should take up our cross to do God's will, even if it means risking our health, life and comforts; and to follow our Master daily. We need to follow in His footsteps, being faithful even unto death. 'To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving an example that you should follow in His steps.' (1 Peter 2:21)
'He is no fool who loses what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose' - Jim Elliott
Respond: Thank you, Lord that my sufferings in this world are nothing compared to the eternal glory that awaits me.
Read: Luke 9: 18-27
Today's passage challenges us to take a stand for Jesus and to follow in His footsteps.
A clear understanding: Even the ones who were closest to Jesus could not understand why He had to go through suffering. The preaching of the Cross was a stumbling block and sometimes foolishness (1 Cor 1:23) to them as they expected the Messiah to be a conquering king. To them death meant defeat. Jesus taught them clearly as to what was going to happen to Him so that they would understand His mission after the coming of the Holy Spirit and would carry the gospel to the nations (Acts 2).
Our understanding of Jesus deepens as we spend more time with His Word and commune with Him frequently.
A clarion call: As followers of the Lord, we are called to deny our selfish desire to use our time, talents and money as we like and choose our own way. We should take up our cross to do God's will, even if it means risking our health, life and comforts; and to follow our Master daily. We need to follow in His footsteps, being faithful even unto death. 'To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving an example that you should follow in His steps.' (1 Peter 2:21)
'He is no fool who loses what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose' - Jim Elliott
Respond: Thank you, Lord that my sufferings in this world are nothing compared to the eternal glory that awaits me.
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