City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

²¹ But He strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, ²² saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Luke 9:21-22 (HCSB)

Reflection

A common argument I hear from non-believers is that Jesus didn’t plan to die, that His mission wasn’t there to take on the sins of the world as a sacrificial lamb and then rise on the third day. It would make sense because who would live a life with a plan to die? But we see in the gospels that Jesus mentioned that His purpose was to die on the cross a total of 11 times. That is a significant confirmation that there was a climax to the purpose of Jesus’ ministry on earth.

It didn’t make much sense to the apostles at that time for why Jesus would say something like this. Even at the end, Peter wanted to follow Jesus to death, not understanding the full extent of his error. But Jesus wanted to share this because when He died and rose from the grave, the apostles would remember all that He had said and gain clarity for Jesus’ full purpose on earth. It would later help them live missionally themselves, fearlessly and boldly preaching the Word of God.

Application

Jesus lived life with a purpose and mission that He knew from the beginning. Everything He did on earth was in alignment with the Father’s will and was obedient to the end.

How are you living life today? Have you lost your way? Has life gotten too busy to where you are unable to see God’s path in your life?

If you cannot hear God’s voice or live in obedience to Him, it may be because you have too many distractions. Take time to be silent and listen to God. Pray and meditate on His words so you can align your mission in life with that of God’s.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. His obedience to Your will is an example for how I should live my life. Help me to get rid of the distractions that so entangle and that keep me from worshipping You. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.