Pity or Purpose

Jesus had asked his disciples , " who do you think I am?" Simon Peter by revelation said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus commended him for this truth, but then Simon spoke from his own mind to prevent Jesus from going to the cross. He had no idea that this death, was the purpose of his coming. The perfect man would die in our place as an atonement for our sins. Already the religious leaders were plotting to kill him.

Mat 16:20  Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 

Mat 16:21  From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 

Mat 16:22  And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 

Mat 16:23  But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” 

Sometimes we are cold and unfeeling about someones affliction.  At other times we may be showing too much pity, looking for reasons for an affliction.  Some of our troubles are allowed by God to shape us into his image. In the storms of life, rather than self pity, we might ask the Lord to fulfill his purpose through me. We cannot be our own atonement, but we can rest in Christ who became our savior from our sins. Give your life to his control.

Mat 16:24  Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 

Mat 16:25  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 

Mat 16:26  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 

The best encouragement I can give to someone, is to trust in Jesus. Whether we live or die, we live in Jesus.

Jesus Saviour, Pilot Me