18 One time when Jesus was off praying by himself, his disciples nearby, he asked them, “What are the crowds saying about me, about who I am?”
19 They said, “John the Baptizer. Others say Elijah. Still others say that one of the prophets from long ago has come back.”
20-21 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”
Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Jesus then warned them to keep it quiet. They were to tell no one what Peter had said.
22 He went on, “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive.”
23-27 Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way,my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.”
Jesus set himself as a model for his followers. He is the Messiah of God but he suffered for people's salvation. He calls now his followers to let Him lead their life. He calls his followers not to lose courage in suffering for the Kingdom of God. He calls us to follow him everyday. He calls us to self-sacrifice - to die to the old self which seeks for people's approval, human's achievement, pursuit of comfort rather than truth of God, indulgence in our sinful nature and our self-pity, etc. He calls us to live out our real self - the resurrected life of God which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and the life of Jesus - that is our real and new self in Christ.
My Lord Jesus, I delight to be like your disciple, Peter, praying with you, seeing how you live in God's will, asking you questions about life and kingdom of God, and following your path by faith in your kingdom ministry. I pray that Jesus, You are the One to lead me, helping me to die to my old self but living out the new self in You, and achieving the ministry you assign to me - liberating the captives, healing the sick, and preaching the good news of the Message.
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