FRIDAY- 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B
Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28: What has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
I Reading: Nahum 2:1. 3; 3:1-3. 6-7: Woe to the city
soaked in blood.
The Messiah Foretells His Death and Future Glory:
Total Commitment, Mt 16: 21-28
A
new stage was now launched by Jesus. Note the words “From that time on.” Jesus
revealed that the Son of the living God was going to be killed and raised again
from the dead. Never before had so phenomenal an event happened, and never
again would it happen. History would be made. “Jerusalem...that killed the
prophets” was going to commit the ultimate crime-they were going to kill God’s
own Son (Mt 23:29-31).
The
lesson of Christ is clear: God’s plan to save the world is through the death of
His Son, His sacrifice and self-denial, the way of salvation for humankind is
the same. Humankind must undergo personal sacrifice, self-denial and death (Mt
16:24-26).
1. His death required total commitment
on His part (v.21-23)
2. His death demands total commitment
from a man (v.24)
a.
Must
will go to follow
b.
Must
deny self
c.
Must
take up the cross
d.
Must
follow Jesus
3. His death offers four arguments for
total commitment (v.25-28)
a.
An
abandonment of this life saves a person
b.
A
person’s soul is worth more than the whole world
c.
A
day of judgement is coming
d.
A
promise is given-the promise of never having to taste death
Thought: No
man should instruct or counsel God. Our task is not to force our ideas upon God
but to surrender to His Will (Rom 8:34)
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