Taking Up The Cross

Peter has just demonstrated his profound misunderstanding of the mission of Christ. At root is Peter's affections. He still loves his own desires - "the things of men" - more than God's redemptive plan. In this passage, Jesus corrects Peter's thinking. To be a disciple of Christ is to "savor the things of God"; and this requires living a life of sacrifice, not self-fulfillment. Our Savior lived his entire life dedicated to the will of God, even though it meant suffering and death. Even so, we are called to follow His example. We should be dedicated to doing God's will above all else, even if it means our death. As followers of Jesus, our life is characterized by the cross - dying to self; to sin; and to this age. Only by doing so can we live for God; for holiness; and for the age to come.