Trinity 14/Proper 17 : 1/9/02 6 p.m. Matthew 16:21-28

PRAY

Used to be Manager of Insurance Brokerage. Relative asked me to get some Life Assurance quotes with different types of cover. Wasn't too bothered, but I obtained these and gave them to these people. Someone else who didn't have a full understanding of the types of Policies on offer, and wasn't prepared to listen to me tried to tell me I didn't know what I was doing ! I was banging my head against a brick wall so I left things.

In today's reading Peter tries to tell Jesus what type of Messiah he ought to be. Jesus corrects Peter and the disciples, and uses this to point to what it means to be a disciple and what reward this will bring. So we are thinking of three headings :

The True Messiah; The True Disciple; The True Reward.

The True Messiah.

A few verses earlier Peter had called Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, verse 17. Jesus replies that this had been revealed to Peter by God the Father and that Peter was the rock upon which he would build the church.

Peter had used the right words to describe Jesus, but he was unable to cope with what Jesus' Messiahship would involve. The Jews at the time expected that the Messiah would come in military power, defeat the Romans, and establish a prosperous earthly kingdom like that of King David. But Jesus was talking about being rejected by the religious rulers, being killed and raised to life on the third day. This was a shock for the disciples. There had been other rebels who had led uprisings against Rome and had been defeated and soon forgotten about. Was Jesus going to go the same way ? And what was this being raised to life ? They had seen Jesus raise people from the dead. Would it be like this ? They couldn't cope with the idea of this and Peter begins to rebuke Jesus.

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

What a contrast to the previous passage we looked atv last week when Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ. Then Peter was speaking words revealed to him by God. Now he is speaking for Satan and for sinful humankind. Tempting Jesus with the easy route to glory, just as Satan had tempted him in the wilderness. Peter was described as a rock upon which the church would be built. Now he is described as a rock over which Jesus could stumble.

Today people may be able to use the right words about Jesus. Calling him Christ, Messiah, Son of God, even Lord. But words mean nothing without understanding and action. People need to understand that God chose Jesus' death on the cross as the only way by which they could be restored to a right relationship with God. It is a way that would have been unthinkable to a first-century Jew like Peter. It is a way that can seem barbaric and unjust to people today. God revealed to Peter who Jesus is. So, today, God needs to reveal to people not only who Jesus is but that he died for their sin. Receiving the punishment that they, and we deserve as he hung there on the cross, separated from God the Father.

It is only when people realise the type of Messiah that Jesus was that they can become a true follower of Him. Jesus was rejected, humiliated, and suffered because he followed God's will. He got up the nose of the Jewish religious leaders. He told them they had got it wrong, they misunderstood the law that they spent their time studying. That they were hypocrites pretending to be upright and religious but neglecting justice. His life and teaching were a challenge to them. So they killed him.

Jesus goes on to say that just as he is preparing to be burdened, to suffer, and to die, so too must the disciples be prepared to face a similar life, and perhaps, death.

So a understanding The True Messiah leads to...

The True Disciple.

If Jesus had been an all conquering earthly king it would be safe to assume that the disciples would not only be free from Roman rule but would occupy positions of influence in the government that Jesus would establish. They would be famous, their names would be recorded in the Jewish History books, they could give nice cushy jobs to their relatives and so on...

You can understand Peter's reaction to the news that Jesus was expecting to be killed by the Jewish religious leaders. He might have thought that now Jesus would confidently share with them his secret plans to oust the Romans.

Yet Jesus is saying the True Disciple who will follow Jesus is to also expect to suffer.

This will involve Self-denial. Putting God and other people first. Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane was not looking forward to dying on the cross the next day. But he prayed, 'Not my will but yours be done'.

It's not popular. It's not easy. But God calls us and equips us to do it in the power of the Holy Spirit. But we have to rely upon His Spirit and not our own.

We are to take up our cross. A voluntary act. It involves taking a burden upon ourselves. In Jesus' day the condemned man had to carry the cross beam that he would be crucified upon to the place of execution.

Sometimes we hear of someone referring to an illness or a difficulty as the cross that they have to carry. As Christians we need to understand the difference between the sufferings that are part of our humanity and those that are part of our Christianity.

There are some sufferings that are common to everyone. Things like disease, accidents, death, and natural disasters, such as the recent floods. They are not God's intended purpose for us but, because of our fallen world they happen. The fact that we are unhappy about these things does point to the perfect purpose for which we were created. A purpose that we all chose to ignore or reject at times.

Other sufferings come to Christians because they of their faith. In this country some Christians have lost their jobs because they refuse to work on Sundays. Others are under pressure because they do not conform to the standards of those around them. In other countries Christians do not need to have the opportunity to take a stand for Jesus. Just the fact that they are Christians can lead to them being attacked, beaten or killed and unable to get a job, justice, or political representation.

In Indonesia there have recently been murders and attacks in Mayoa to the south of Tentena. The razing to the ground of the villages of Matako, Betania-Malitu, Sepe and Silanca, the torture and massacre of Christians pulled from public buses and private vehicles.

This report came dated August 17, 2002

From Freedom Now World News

HIGH LEVEL ALERT:THE MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS IN INDONESIA HAS BEGUN!

"After jihad terrorists have attacked and razed to the ground 5 Christian villages in the last 24 hours and several have been killed and wounded. One child was strangled to death. One elderly man was shot several times. Many others have been killed or badly wounded.

Many have fled into the jungles and tonight are living in fear and terror not knowing what tomorrow will bring. As they huddle in small groups under trees or jungle shrubs, they pray not knowing if they will be hunted down and slaughtered in the jungles or whether they will yet see another dawn.

Intelligence reports provided to us have warned that tonight the town of Tentena is in extreme danger. With thousands of jihad warriors based in Pandajaya to the south, Malino to the east, Poso to the north and only jungles to the west, we are warned that an attempt may be made to attack tonight or early tomorrow morning, as they plan to celebrate Indonesia's Indepence Day (August 17) in Tentena. This is a very high level alert and we urge your immediate attention."

Dr. Jeff Hammond, Indonesia.

Look at pieces of paper ( see the end of this ) to see the persecution that some Christians are undergoing and how we can pray for them.

Jesus said that being a true disciple may bring destruction.

25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

We have to give up our life to Jesus in order to gain a true life. Not existing but living it to the full, knowing God as our best friend. Our life is precious, priceless, more important than owning the whole world. We cannot give anything to buy our soul. The only price that could buy us has already been paid, Jesus, the only Son of God. Who loved us so much he gave his life on a cross.

This is so important to some people around the world that they are prepared to risk their jobs, comfort, reputation, even their lives.

It asks us the question, 'How comfortable are you ? ' If we are too comfortable then perhaps we are not denying ourselves enough. Perhaps, although we use the right language Jesus isn't truly Lord of everything. Our time, our money, our possessions, our relationships, our families, our jobs, our leisure activities, our reputation and so on.

A true disciple follows the true Messiah. A way of suffering and rejection.

The True Messiah; The True Disciple;

The True Reward.

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Does this disagree with the doctrine that we are saved by faith ? Isn't this saying that we will be saved by what we have done rather than our trust in Jesus ?

No. What this is saying is that a true disciple of Jesus will do what Jesus commands. In this passage his command is to self-denial. So those who have put their trust in Jesus will show that their trust is real by obeying him, denying themselves, putting God and others first. This shows that we have truly understood the lengths that God has gone to in saving us. This shows that we really have given up our lives in order to gain life. This life is eternal life. Eternal not only in it's length but also in its breadth. Eternal life is not only everlasting, it is a quality of life. A life in a right relationship with God the Father. A life where, one day, there will be no more death or mourning or weeping or pain because the old order of things will have passed away.

This is the kingdom that Jesus is referring to in verse 28. A kingdom that the disciples were to see a glimpse of in Jesus' Transfiguration, his resurrection and his ascension. A kingdom that will break fully into human history when Jesus returns. Not anonymously in a remote stable as a helpless baby. But in power and glory on the clouds for everyone to see. This is the living, certain hope that it ours as Christians. It is a hope that should inspire and sustain us as we seek to work and witness for Jesus.

PRAY

From : http://persecution.org/prayer/pray2002-08.html

August 2002

Burma - Despite the release of democratic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi over two months ago, ethnic minorities, many of whom are Christians, continue to be attacked by the Burmese military. According to the Free Burma Rangers, between April and June at least 28 Karen villages were attacked and looted, another 6 villages were burned, five churches were destroyed and 15 people were murdered. In addition, thousands of people have been made homeless and are now refugees. Chin believers reported that in Matupi town authorities have been trying to tear down a 30-foot tall concrete cross just outside the village. They have been denying resources to the Chin Christians until they take down the cross.
Prayer Points: Pray that the military government in Burma would allow the democratically elected leadership to take power. Pray that the rights of ethnic and religious minorities would be protected. Ask the Lord to provide for those who have lost their homes and possessions.

Indonesia - Violence is once again on the rise in Maluku, North Maluku and central Sulawesi. On July 22 three Christians were seriously wounded by gunshots. Mr. William Rapalino, Mr. Rindu Lasampa, and Mrs. Norce Bungge were working in the rice fields in the village of Mayoa, near Pendolo, Central Sulawesi, when they were attacked by armed jihad warriors. Christians in Tobelo, North Maluku, feel threatened by the presence of jihad warriors in surrounding villages, several of which have been attacked in recent weeks. In Ambon a bomb explosion on July 27 left 53 people wounded, one of which later died of his injuries. Meanwhile, Laskar Jihad leader Jafar Umar Thalib was released from prison on July 25.
Prayer Points: Pray that fear would not take hold of the Christian community in Indonesia. Ask the Lord to strengthen them and give them the grace to love their enemies. Pray that God would foil the plans of the Laskar Jihad and other militant groups that seek to harm the Christians. Also ask for justice to be done in the case of Jafar Umar Thalib, who has sought to provoke the Muslim community against the Christians.

Pakistan - On June 15, a Christian girl, 17-year-old Gulnaz, was severely burned when an angry Muslim threw acid in her face. She had spurned his sexual advances and slapped him on the face the previous day. Another Christian teenager, Yaqoob Masih was murdered on June 27 following torture at a police station where he was being held on trumped up charges. Yaqoob had witnessed a bribe in the customs department and was arrested to keep him from reporting what he saw.
Prayer Points: Pray that Gulnaz will heal with minimal scarring. Ask the Lord to provide funding for the necessary treatment. Also ask the Lord to comfort the family of Yaqoob Masih. Pray that justice would be done and those responsible for Yaqoob's death would be punished according to their crime.

Sudan - A new peace agreement has been signed between the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). The Machakos Protocol was signed on July 20. While this seems like a positive step toward peace, a cease-fire has not yet been hammered out and civilians continue to be attacked.
Prayer Points: Pray that the GOS would be sincere in wanting peace. Pray that the GOS would stop all bomb attacks and allow humanitarian aid to enter southern Sudan without hindrance.

Vietnam - At least 26 pastors remain in prison. Most of them belong to the Montagnard minority groups.
Prayer Points: Pray that these pastors could be bold witnesses for Christ in prison. Ask the Lord to provide for their families and to raise up more church leaders. Pray for revival in this Communist country.

Praise Report:

Saudi Arabia - Five Christians imprisoned in Jeddah were released and deported at the end of July. Another four remain in custody. All were arrested for practicing their Christian faith in private homes. Please continue to pray that the remaining people would be released. Also, ask the Lord to provide for those who now have no job or means of income.