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CROSS FIRST THAN CROWN (II)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25
Matthew 16:21-28

Revelation 2:8-11

 

“For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?…”

 

CROSS FIRST THAN CROWN (II)
 
This divine principle of cross before crown applies not only to Jesus, but also to all His disciples. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake… and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” Peter was probably thinking of grand things for himself. He wanted to rule with Christ. Yes, indeed, Peter and all Christians will rule with Christ one day, but before that happens, they must likewise take up their crosses daily, and walk as Jesus had walked. Death by crucifixion is a most painful and shameful death. If we are not ashamed of being humiliated together with Jesus by taking up the cross and following Him, then Jesus will not be ashamed of us when He returns gloriously as King of kings and Lord of lords. For bearing our crosses in this world, the Lord promises to reward us with His crowns in the world to come.
 
Not only did Christ predict His death and resurrection for the first time here, He also predicted His return. His second coming would be a glorious and powerful one. He would come into His kingdom (cf. Acts 1:3, 6, 7, 11; 2 Tim 4:1) with His holy angels (2 Thess 1:7-9), and with rewards (cf. 2 Tim 4:1). Peter was not wrong to think of Jesus as the Messianic Warrior King, only that he got the timing mixed up. His first coming was to suffer as the Lamb of God, but His second would be to reign as the Lion from the tribe of Judah. Jesus then promised that some of them would be given a glimpse of the kind of glory He would possess at His second coming: “Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death… till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom… the kingdom of God come with power.” Jesus was invariably speaking of His transfiguration of which Peter, James and John would be the privileged eyewitnesses.
 
THOUGHT: “God does not call His people to triumph before He has exercised them in the warfare of suffering.” (Calvin)
PRAYER: “Lord, here I take my cross, now to follow thee. Worldly gain, empty fame, are but dross to me.”

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