For those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:25 NRSV Bible)
I saw a cartoon once where all the children were aboard a school bus. One child says to the other, as they look out the bus window, "You'd think our moms would have the decency to wait until the bus was out of sight before they did their cartwheels."

These parents may have been happy to see their children go off to school. Jesus may also do cartwheels when we decide to become a disciple, and we will too when we experience the rewards of being a disciple of Christ.

Jesus offered his disciples a paradox, "For those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." The disciples wanted Jesus to establish the kingdom on earth without any sacrifice. They thought of the good times they shared with Jesus and hoped that those good times would continue indefinitely. Jesus tried to tell them he was going to Jerusalem to suffer, die and be raised again. They were upset. "This must never happen to you," Peter told Jesus. They misunderstood Jesus' message.

What they failed to understand was that Jesus was a model to follow. Jesus would suffer and die. In dying, he would have life. When to die to our own selfish needs and turn to the master. We then will gain a life that will have no end in the glory of God's presence.

Loving God, thank you for the wonderful life I have in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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