2/4/18 – Numbers 33, Numbers 34 Luke 9:10-27 Proverbs 8:22-31

Luke 9:18-20

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Many people have different opinions who who Jesus is. Some say he was a teacher – some a prophet. This is nothing new. Also, none of those are the whole story.

Everyone has an opinion. But the truth must be revealed to us – just as it was to Peter. He didn’t work it out – God revealed it to him.

He is the Christ – the Son of the living God – the Messiah. This is not something yo can really be told, because knowing it in your mind doesn’t do much. Knowing it in your heart because God opens you up to the truth – that changes everything.

Has this been revealed to you? Who do you say that He is? When God reveals it, you don’t just think it – you know it.

Luke 9:23-25

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 

Take up your cross daily. Sometimes we are very flippant with this idea. I’m sure we’ve all hear someone at some point joking refer to a family member or a friend as “their cross to bear”.

Really? Having a friend like that is like getting crucified? I think you’ve misunderstood what crucifixion is like.

Remember when Jesus told people to take up their cross, this was before He was crucified. The cross was not a symbol of hope, no a symbol of victory – noting like that. It was a symbol of shame, torture and defeat.

He’s saying that following Him means giving up everything – including what you may see as your dignity. To follow Jesus is to put all of our life to one side – because what does any of it matter? What’s the point in worldly success? None of it lasts – only what we do for Christ.