Matthew 16:24-28
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Before you begin today’s meditation, think back to what you sensed Jesus saying to you through his exchange with Peter. Then read Matthew 16:24-28 with that in mind.
Jesus’ disciples had various motives for walking away from their former professions to follow him, but one thing they had in common was an expectation that the Messiah would free Israel from the oppression of the occupying Roman government. The idea that their leader and deliverer will suffer terrible things and be killed is not an easy paradigm shift for any of them. And as for being raised from the dead, that is a concept for which they have no framework at all. In his reprimand of Jesus, Peter is simply voicing what most of the others are probably thinking.
But now Jesus draws the line in the sand. Those who want to follow him must let go of their expectations and step beyond the confines of their paradigms into the unknown.
Get quiet for a moment and settle into the presence of Jesus. Imagine his presence as water washing over you as you breathe as you let go of the tension in your body.
When you are ready, think about areas where Jesus has been leading you beyond the confines of your own expectations and paradigms over the last few months. Share your thoughts and feelings about this with him.
Read Matthew 16:24-28 again as if Jesus were speaking these words to you.
There are many interpretations of Jesus’ last two statements in this passage, but what he says prior to that is crystal clear. If you achieve all the world has to offer and lose your soul in the process you will lose the very essence of who you are and who God created you to be. Nothing is worth more than your soul, intact, the way God intended.
Jesus never promises that following him will result in a life of ease. He is clear that if we are to be his disciples, we will have to die to our own expectations and agendas in order to embrace his. But what Jesus does hold out to us is a life full of meaning and purpose –the kind of life that spreads the hope of shalom in a broken and hurting world. The kind of life we are meant to live.
As you end this time of meditation, listen again to this promise from Jesus as it is translated in Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible:
“…for whoever may will to save his life, shall lose it, and whoever may lose his life for my sake shall find it…”
What might Jesus be inviting you to do today?
Will you do that?
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