One hundred passages of Scripture later, the question remains the same: Who is Jesus...to you? Jesus begins this discussion by asking his disciples about others' opinions. Then Jesus asks them the most important question...
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "God's Messiah." Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." (Luke 9:20-22 NIV)
This moment is a turning point in Peter's life. It's also a turning point in Jesus' ministry. His disciples understand that Jesus is the Messiah. Now they need to learn what prophecies about the Messiah will be fulfilled in this life and which ones will need to wait until his return. He begins by telling them about this life, that the Messiah must suffer, die, and be raised to life. Then he begins to tell them about their part of God's plan.
Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26 NIV)
Jesus begins telling them about God's two-stage plan. He also tells them that they have a part to play in this plan. They will not only be his disciples (followers) but also his apostles (sent ones) and ambassadors (representatives). They will have work to do after he dies, rises, and ascends into heaven. Jesus starts discussing their upcoming ministry. Belief in Jesus results in following Jesus. Following Jesus fundamentally changes your life.
"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:27 NIV)
Judas would not see the kingdom of God. He would take his own life before he saw the Scriptures and Jesus' words fulfilled. The others, though, would see Jesus alive after he died. They would watch as he ascended and was hidden by the clouds. They would see the tongues of fire resting on the others in the room and would begin boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God in every language needed on the day of Pentecost. They would believe in and follow Jesus and it would change the entire course of their lives.
How about you? Who is Jesus...to you?
No comments:
Post a Comment