12^TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME-C

 

I Reading: Zachariah 12:10-11; 13-1: They will look on the one whom they have pierced.

II Reading: Galatians 3:26-29: All baptised in Christ. You have all clothed yourselves in Christ.

Gospel: Luke 9:18-24: You are the Christ of God. The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously.

The First Prediction of Death: Who Jesus Really is, Lk 9:18-22

The readings of today convey the plans of God to save us are mysterious and full of love. Who is Jesus? The most critical time in a person’s life is when he/she answers this question.

1. Jesus was alone praying (v.18)

2. The people’s belief: Jesus was only a great man (v.18-19)

3. The disciples’ conviction: Jesus was Messiah (v.20)

4. The full meaning of the conviction (v. 21-22)

a. The full meaning: was not yet grasped

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

The Terms of Discipleship, Lk 9:23-27

Jesus was to bear the cross for man. 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 terms of discipleship (v.23)

a. Must deny self

b. Must take up the cross-daily

c. Must follow Jesus

2. The warning to the materialist (v.24)

a. Do not save life for self

b. Spend life for Christ

3. The question for the materialist (v.25)

a. If he gains the world

b. And loses his life

c. What does he gain?

4. The judgement of the materialist (v.26)

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

b. The judgement: counted unsuitable for glory

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

Thought: Three important lessons on prayer:

i. We must pray before momentous events (Mt 7:7; James 5:13; Jer 33:3).

ii. We must pray for others (Eph 6:18)

iii. We must pray for strength to withstand in all trails (Mt 26:41;Rom 8:26; Is 41:17, 58:9).

Jesus Christ saves a person’s life eternally provided he/she loses his/her life for Christ.

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