'From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom (Mt. 16:21-28).”'
Jerusalem is the city where the prophets died (Mt. 23:37). The elders, the chief priests, and the scribes comprise the Sanhedrin, an official Jewish council in Palestine under Roman rule. Jesus reflected on his future death at the hands of the authorities and God’s plan of salvation in his resurrection. Peter would not accept what Jesus said and Jesus rebuked him. Jesus then explained what was demanded of his disciples who must love God, “With your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength (Deut. 6:5).” They must deny themselves and submit to God’s will. They should not seek great wealth or avoid martyrdom. They must seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Mt. 6:33) and they will be repaid according to their deeds by the glorified Christ.
Almighty God, your plan of salvation was completed when Christ rose from the dead. We believe all that Jesus taught and have the sure and certain faith that as he rose from the dead so will we rise to everlasting life. We ask that you never let us our crosses be too heavy for us to bear. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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