Lenten devotionals from our DS's wife Robbie Craker

Day #5

Matthew 16:21-27 (The Message)

You're Not in the Driver's Seat

Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"

But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

This scripture follows on the heels of Peter’s great declaration, “You are the Christ!” I often sympathize with Peter in scripture since I tend to be an impetuous person. But this is more than impetuous. Poor Peter given insight by God into the truth of Jesus, swept aside because he has no idea how God works. From Rock to Satan; makes your head spin doesn’t it?

Is this how our lives are lived? We’re in the midst of intimate relationship with God and something comes along to make us wonder if we’re on the right track. Life is good as long as we’re being fed, taught, given miracles. But then comes the next season – suffering, death, resurrection. Hmmm…doesn’t seem so good now. Even if we know resurrection is the final word we’d like to get there without the suffering and death. Or at least let’s only have a tiny bit of suffering.

Just as the resurrection of Jesus is sweeter and brighter when we take the time to meditate on his suffering and death – so too are our personal resurrections sweeter and brighter when we embrace our own sufferings and deaths. I’m not talking physical death in this instance, I’m talking about the suffering we face at the hands of hurtful people. I’m talking about the death of relationships that were meaningful to us. I’m talking about the suffering we face due to physical disease. I’m talking about the death of our way of life and dignity due to loss of health. I’m talking about the suffering we face due to the downturn in the economy. I’m talking about the death of our livelihood due to loss of job.

These are just a few mentions of suffering and death that we face regularly. What does the resurrection look like beyond these sufferings and death? It means new life. We will never be the same if we embrace them. Jesus has gone before us to face a greater suffering and death – we can trust Him to lead us through. Jesus is walking with us – we can trust Him to lead us through.

Father, we want to lose our lives in You. Please help us to embrace the path of suffering and death you’re leading us through. Teach us, mold us, change us – this is resurrection. Amen