For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Matt. 16
What does it mean for you to lose your life for Jesus so you can find it (v. 25)? I often wonder why Jesus typically instructed people not to tell who He was or what He had done for them. It makes sense to me here, when the disciples identified Him as the Messiah. The Jews, even the disciples, were expecting the Messiah to be a conquering King who would free them from the oppression of the Roman government. They didn’t understand that Jesus came to suffer and die. Spreading the word that Jesus was the Messiah would likely have stirred up the masses for some kind of revolt.
Jesus, on the other hand, was fully aware of what He came to do. He knew that He had to give His life so that He could give us life. His comment in verse 25 also lets us know that not only did His death and resurrection offer us life, but it was also our example for how to receive that life. Jesus knew that there was nothing to gain in saving His flesh – the human side of Him. Keeping His life would have meant death for all of us. Likewise, the life we think we have in the flesh leads only to death. If we want real life, we must be willing to do as Jesus did and let our human nature die so that God’s Spirit can be brought to life in its place. And that is the paradox of God’s Kingdom. What looks like death is actually life. And what looks like defeat is victory.
Deut. 13-14
God gave harsh punishments for idolatry; it’s serious. What idols tempt you and draw your attention or affection? Once again, I see the seriousness of having any kind of intimate fellowship with those who would lead you away from God. Just as there is no benefit in trying to save this life we have in the flesh, there is no benefit in trying to save a relationship with someone who is bent on turning away from God. I certainly don’t believe that we are to put such people to death. I do, however, think that we need to sever the intimacy in that relationship. As difficult as it may be, we need to acknowledge that they are on the path toward death and refuse to follow.
I also don’t see this as ‘disowning’ someone. Paul instructed a Christian spouse to stay with their non-believing spouse, as much as it was up to them. We don’t need to run people off and get hateful toward them. But we do need to love them in a different way. And if, by some miracle, they turn back toward God, we should be there with open arms and hearts like the father of the prodigal son who rejoiced because, “this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:32b).