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In Order. Live Boldly, Unashamedly

October 20, 2017. Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:18-27.

 

 

In all three of today’s passages, Jesus asks His disciples two questions. The first question is about the crowds in general, who have been following Jesus around experiencing the miracle of Jesus feeding these great crowds with minimal food available.

    “Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Luke 9:18)

The answer to this question is varied.

So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah, and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” (Luke 9:19)

 

Jesus’ second question is toward the disciples themselves.

 

    “But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20)

 

Here Peter answers for all of them and declares the “correct answer” Jesus is looking for. The “correct answer” actually given to Peter from God the Heavenly Father.

 

    “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) 

 

Once this truth is revealed, to His disciples, Jesus now teaches an important point about Himself and about believers, anyone who is saved.

 

First about Himself,

 

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed, and be raised the third day. (Matthew 16:21)

 

Jesus tells them what is going to happen to Him.  It is actually what will save an individual if he or she believes and receives it. That is what is written to the believers in the city of Corinth.

 

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1Corinthians 15:1-4)

 

The second point Jesus gives to his disciples is about anyone who is saved.

 

Then He (Jesus) said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)

 

To boldly and unashamedly live a daily life for the sake of Jesus.  To live a daily life of sacrifice and obedience in following Him. This is the way Jesus lived in His relationship with His Father.  This is the way Jesus tells us to live in our relationship with Him.

Robert McClendon

Bob McClendon grew up in Pennsylvania, spent most of his adulthood in Colorado, and is now ready to learn how to be a Texan. He married his high school sweetheart, Tracy, in 1975. They have two...more