The Messiah Of GOD

Hi! and happy TGIF and Muslim-regular holiday (Eid Al-Adha) to all of us; and it's just 91 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" for today:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (25 September 2015)

"One day when JESUS was praying alone, not far from HIS disciples, HE asked them, 'What do people say about ME?'  And they answered, 'Some say that YOU are John the Baptist; others say that YOU are Elijah, and still others that YOU are one of the former prophets risen from the dead.'  Again JESUS asked them, 'Who then do you say I am?'  Peter answered, 'The Messiah of GOD.'  Then JESUS spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. 

And HE added, 'The Son of Man must suffer many things.  HE will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death.  Then after three days HE will be raised to life'." - Luke 9:18-22 

(Why did JESUS ask HIS apostles the questions we have just read?  The Gospel answers clearly:  because the time had come for JESUS to announce HIS passion to them.  JESUS had not only come to teach people but to open for them the door leading to the Resurrection.  Since HIS apostles now know HIM to be the Savior promised to Israel, they must learn that there is no salvation if death is not conquered.  JESUS will obtain the victory when HE freely chooses the way of the cross:  the Son of Man has to suffer much and be rejected by the authorities.

 

Immediately after that, JESUS adds that we must all share in HIS victory over death:  You must deny yourself:  this is the fundamental orientation of our life.  We must choose between serving and being served, sacrificing ourselves for others or taking advantage of them.  Or, as a well-known prayer puts it:  Let me seek not so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.

 

It is in his/her early years that a child is helped towards this choice.  In a true family he/she is not the center and king/queen, with parents as slaves, but he/she learns how to serve and give himself/herself.  He/She must accept his/her brothers and sisters, share with them and at times limit his/her own future for their good.)