Thursday 26 February 2009

Background

This week's theme, 'The Lord's Footsteps', is about what itmeans to follow Jesus. Today's passage connects the suffering andpain of Jesus with the experience of those who follow him. If Jesusis the one who suffers, how will that pattern work out in the livesof those who are his followers?

The disciple Peter has just acclaimed Jesus as the leader who Godpromised to the Jewish people throughout their history - theMessiah (verse 20). Jesus must have spent much time thinking aboutwhat it means to be 'Messiah'. The Jewish Scriptures offer imagesof a servant of God who suffers (eg Isaiah 53), andJesus has already seen how institutional violence has dispensedwith his cousin John the Baptist (Luke 9:9).

Jesus has formed a view of his own future. He has come to theconclusion that there will be suffering and death, but that therewill also be vindication. So Jesus speaks about himself as "the Sonof Man", a figure involved in the coming of God's rule (Daniel 7:13). Butwith that vindicated figure, Jesus combines the certainty ofsuffering.

What Jesus says next he says to "them all" (verse 23). These arewords for all his followers: for the 12, for the larger body ofdisciples around him and for the first readers of Luke's Gospel inthe 1st century AD. By implication they are also words for thosewho want to follow Jesus today.

Jesus speaks about his followers 'taking up their cross' (verse23). Given the significance of the cross for public execution, thiswas a very strong image for the time. And it was to be done'daily'. This image, and the words which follow, ask us whether weare able, day by day, to put aside our own needs, and even sufferfor the sake of other people. It would be done in the hope thatliving that pattern brings God's blessing, but also recognisingthat this is what it costs to follow Jesus.

To Ponder

Are you giving anything up for Lent? What will itreally cost you?

Does someone need to suffer if the world is to bea better place? Can you think of any examples?