This Sunday in the Gospel of Luke we will finally hear someone answer correctly the question that Jesus’ entire ministry has been posing. “Who do you say that I am?” The lights have finally gone on for Peter. “The Christ of God!” (Luke 9:20)
We might expect Jesus’ next words to be, “Shout this from the rooftops!” The long-awaited Messiah has arrived! God’s anointed one, who would accomplish “everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets (Luke 18:31).” Surely that good news needs to be proclaimed everywhere. But Jesus says just the opposite.
He strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9:21-22)
The announcement that the Messiah had arrived would have naturally led many to assume that the moment of God’s triumphant glory on behalf of his people had arrived. It had, but it was not going to come as expected. Suffering first, then glory.
And as Jesus will go on to tell his disciples, as it will go for the Son of Man, so it will go for all those who follow the Son of Man. The call to follow Jesus is also, “Suffering first, then glory.” (Go read it for yourself in Luke 9:23-27.)
Erik Thoennes will be preaching Luke 9:18-27 for us this Sunday and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for them as they prepare? And would you take time to ask the Lord to give us all the necessary faith and strength we will need to obey this radical call to deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow him.
Can you imagine what it might look like if every member of Grace Ev Free Church in La Mirada was filled through the Holy Spirit with a fresh vision and urgency to live out this calling? These few but powerful words from Jesus our King have the power to unleash revival and gospel victory to the glory of his matchless grace. Now, that’s something worth getting out of bed and gathering together for.
Let’s see you this Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!
Song Link of the Week
Behold Him by Paul Baloche
He who chose a criminal’s end
Paid with blood to settle our debt
Buried death as He rose to life
Behold Him!