Reflection: Luke 9:22-28

Thursday after Ash Wednesday – Luke: 9:22-28

The beginning of today’s Gospel is stark. Jesus informs his disciples that the “Son of Man” will undergo great suffering, be rejected by the temple officials, be killed and then be raised up on the third day! What a sobering Gospel! Put yourself in the disciples’ shoes. What would be your reaction to these words? I assume the disciples were shaken by what Jesus said. Yet they also had heard the many complaints and threats against Jesus. They must have known that He was in danger.

Did they realize that they also might be in danger? After all, they were His followers and friends. Were some of them tempted to return home to a normal life, to safety? These thoughts may have flown through their minds. Yet they had lived with Jesus. They were his friends. They loved Him and they believed in Him! However, were they also afraid for themselves and even more so for their families?

Jesus warns them that following Him will not be easy. There will be dangers and threats. And if they do choose to follow Him, each day and every day, they must take up their cross and follow in His footsteps. Imagine how sobering it must have been to hear Jesus utter those words. When the disciples initially decided to follow Jesus, they were enthusiastic and eager to learn. They did not realize that following Him might become dangerous!

Jesus also told them that even if they lose their life for His sake, they will be saved! Yes, they will be taking a risk if they follow Him. However, there also will be a great reward. Jesus promises His disciples that they have much to gain by following Him. However, Jesus also wants them to know the risks.

How would you or I respond if someone we have lived with, journeyed with and become friends with, told us they would be rejected, killed and then raised up? Jesus however, needed His disciples to realize that danger and hardship most likely would be in their future. He didn’t want them to assume that life as his disciple would be easy, simple or glorious. Yet, He also told them that if they follow Him, they will gain the whole world! What a powerful statement!

Today however, Jesus is telling us the same thing that he told his disciples. We also are his disciples in this world of ours---and the dangers are real. If we commit ourselves and follow Jesus, at times, it won’t be an easy path. There will be many gifts but there will also be difficult times. The gift is Jesus promises to always be at our side! He will walk with us, strength us, console us and give us His peace! Is this enough for us? What path will we choose?