Proper 17 (22)
August 31, 2008
Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 26:1-8; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28
I’ve been looking at these passages most of the week. It looks like I’ll be using the Matthew passage in conjunction with the Romans passage. Last week I alluded to the passage in Matthew as we looked at how God used Peter despite his failings. We will probably be looking at the latter half of the passage.
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
Yesterday during our prayer meeting, Pam and I were discussing how backwards the Kingdom of Heaven seems compared to the way we live our life. Our culture says, “Look out for number one.” But Jesus says, “If you want to be a Christ follower, you must deny yourself (turn from your selfish ways.) If you try to save your life, you will lose it. If you give up your life for Christ you will find it.” It seems so backward to us. We seem to love to gain and collect things. Jesus reminds us that materialism will not save us. Hanging on to our wealth will not save us. I do find verse 27 interesting. :For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.” Pam and I have been batting around this whole idea of faith vs. works. Mostly we have looked at it from the perspective of James — faith without works is dead. Here Jesus reminds us that what we do for Christ is important. Let’s take that concept just a bit farther. Look what the apostle Paul writes in Romans:
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”says the Lord.
20 Instead,“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Living the life that Christ requires will have some ouch moments. One of those was yesterday. Again it reminded me of how different Christ’s Kingdom is from our kingdom. Paul writes, “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.” Wow! Not only are we to pray for others, we are to pray that God blesses them. This is some good stuff as we remember how Christ has called us to live. Romans has a great connection to taking up your cross, and that is what is required if we desire to be a Christ follower.
