August 29, 1999 The Cross Road. Mat. 16

We always try to take the easiest way. It's human nature to try to find the shortest route and the best road to get us to where we want to go. It's our nature to avoid any pain or hardship. Our roads have gone from mud trails to super highways. We continue to improve them to make sure that we're doing all that we possibly can to take the fastest, the smoothest, and the least painful route to where we are going.

Scripture Text: Matt 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Which road have you taken? These are the roads that we travel today.

Must Jesus bear the cross alone?

1. God's Road. (v. 21) Jesus said that he must go to Jerusalem. The road that God chose to walk was a road of great sacrifice. He gave up his power and prestige to become the lamb that takes away the sins of the world. He challenged the established religious/political system and was crucified unjustly. But his crucifixion was not without purpose. He offered himself in our place. His blood was acceptable for the payment of our sins.
2. The Low Road. (v. 22) The low/dirt road is the road that we are all tempted to take through this life. It is the path of least resistance and it is easy to travel. It is the path that Peter had tempted Jesus to take. It seems that Peter had good intentions, but Peter's good intentions were being used by Satan to tempt Jesus to take the easy way out. This road looks for the things of earth and forsakes the things of heaven. This road looks for the God who makes everything easy and nice. You know a God that will give his people all the health and wealth they want. But, if you don't get what you want then you must have sinned some where.
3. The Cross Road. (vv. 23-27) This is the road that people take who desire to follow Jesus. You must remember that he took the cross road. Must Jesus bear the cross alone. He invites all that will follow him to pick up their cross and follow him. The cross road is the road of self denial. It is the road that desires the things of God more than the things of this earth. The devil wants to deceive you into taking the low road of all humanity that denies God in their lives. The God of the Bible is a God who gives himself for others and denies his ways for the ways of God. He is a God who gives himself that others may live. This is the way to follow Jesus. He says that anyone who wants to follow him must deny himself, take up his cross and follow him. Jesus asks what will a man give in exchange for his soul? What will give for our eternal life? If we take the low road then we will also get what is at the end of that road.

This story from the Choice Gleanings calendar illustrates the point. Drifting snow and bitter cold threatened the lives of Indian evangelist Sadhu Sundar Singh and his Tibetan companion as they crossed a Himalayan mountain pass. Fighting the "sleep of death" , they stumbled over a mound in the trail. It was a man, half dead. The Tibetan refused to stop but continued on alone. The compassionate Sadhu, however, shouldered the burden the best he could. Through his struggling, he began to warm up, as did the unconscious man. But before reaching the village they found the Tibetan -- frozen to death. The principles that Jesus taught are still true: whoever shall save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it!

4. The King's Highway. (v. 27) Jesus promised all those that follow him will receive the rewards for all that they have done. Jesus will come to reward his servants and the wicked will be rewarded for all that they have done.

"I had walked life's way with an easy tread, I had traveled where pleasures and comfort lead until one day in a quiet place, I met the Master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for my goal, Much thought for my body but none for my soul, I'd entered to win this life's mad race, when I met the Master face to face.

I built my towers and reared them high, 'til they had pierced the blue of the sky. I'd sworn to rule with an iron mace, when I met my Master face to face.

I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see, that His eyes, full of sorrow, were fixed upon me. I faltered and fell at his feet that day, while my castles melted and vanished away.

Melted and vanished and in their place, nothing else could I see but the Master's face. My thoughts are now for the souls of men, I had lost my life to find it again.

Since that day in a quite place, when I met the Master face to face." -- Insight for Living 7/30/90

Which road will you take?