Luke 9:18-27 / NRSV
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”
He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
Meditation:
Even when Jesus walked among us people had different ideas about just who he was. It’s no different now – we too carry differing pictures of Jesus in our heads.
What do you think? Is Jesus the Son of God? Or God, the Son? A great Teacher? The founder of our church? A prophet? A man just like us, only wiser? Your Savior?
If you think of yourself as a Christian, what do you mean by that? And what difference does it make? Jesus tells his disciples here very clearly what it means to be his follower. Is this what you mean when you say you are a Christian?
Sit quietly and ask Jesus to tell you what being his disciple means. Invite him to send the Spirit to show you who and what you are called to be and do.
Prayer:
O Holy One, I’m only scratching the surface of what it means to be a Christian. Please show me how I can be a better disciple, a real follower of your way. Show me the steps, and give me the courage to walk them with you. Amen.
Even when Jesus walked among us people had different ideas about just who he was. It’s no different now – we too carry differing pictures of Jesus in our heads.
What do you think? Is Jesus the Son of God? Or God, the Son? A great Teacher? The founder of our church? A prophet? A man just like us, only wiser? Your Savior?
If you think of yourself as a Christian, what do you mean by that? And what difference does it make? Jesus tells his disciples here very clearly what it means to be his follower. Is this what you mean when you say you are a Christian?
Sit quietly and ask Jesus to tell you what being his disciple means. Invite him to send the Spirit to show you who and what you are called to be and do.
Prayer:
O Holy One, I’m only scratching the surface of what it means to be a Christian. Please show me how I can be a better disciple, a real follower of your way. Show me the steps, and give me the courage to walk them with you. Amen.
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