THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY- WEEK 4- YEAR-B

I Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20: See I set before you today a blessing and a curse.

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25: Anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it.

The First Prediction of death: Who Jesus really is, Lk 9:18-22

The Terms of Discipleship, Lk 9:23-27

Who is Jesus? He is the Son of God, the Messiah and the Suffering Servant (OT- Hos 6:2; Dan 7:13; Is 52). Jesus was to bear the cross for humankind. He had just discussed this fact with his disciples (Lk 9:22). Now he said there was another cross-a cross which man was to bear for him. If a man wishes to follow Christ, he had to bear this cross. There was no option. Discipleship demanded it.

1.     The full meaning of conviction (v.22)

a.     The full meaning: was not yet grasped

b.    The full meaning: Jesus was the suffering and conquering Saviour

2.     The terms of discipleship 9v.23)

a.     Must deny self

b.    Must take up the cross-daily

c.      Must follow Jesus, not someone else

3.     The warning to the materialist (24)

a.     Do not save life for self

b.    Spend life for Christ

4.     The question for the materialist (25)

a.     If he gains the world

b.    And loses his life

c.      What does he gain?

5.     The judgement of the materialist (26)

a.     The reason: He is ashamed of Jesus and His Words

b.    The judgement: counted unsuitable for glory

6.     The disciples’ reward: God’s kingdom (27)

Thought: Take up your cross daily means self-giving and self-forgetting everyday to know God and to fellowship with God as well as with people to help and save a world lost in sin, shame and suffering.