Verse 1 causes some problem because it is assumed that Jesus is referring to His return. Clearly this cannot be the case. Others see it as referring to the transfiguration. Given that we immediately get an account of the transfiguration there is something to be said for this.
So let's look at what has just happened. The disciples have just realised that Jesus is the Messiah, they have then had the shock of Jesus saying He would be killed (the bit about the resurrection seems to have washed over their heads). Then, as if to make matters worse, He has gone on to say that anyone who follows Him (ie the disciples) must be prepared to endure a similar fate. And let us remember that while for most of us "carrying our cross" is a metaphorical term, most of the apostles dies for their faith.
On the surface this messiah business is not as attractive as it once seemed! Yet they would realise that there was true power in the cross, that the cross was the most powerful act of any man in history.
No comments:
Post a Comment