THURSDAY 25TH JULY 2019 MORNING
Mark 8:31-38 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Predicts His Death
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
The Way of the Cross
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Footnotes:
- Mark 8:35 The Greek word means either life or soul; also in verses 36 and 37.
Jesus taught His disciples several times about His coming crucifixion. This was not easy for Peter to accept. It was very hard for Jesus to go to the cross for us but He was willing so that we can be saved. As disciples we may have to go through tough experiences. Jesus has not promised us an easy life here on earth. But let us not give up following Jesus. Let us not become discouraged. Let us take up our cross daily and follow Him. Jesus will guide and strengthen us and we will enter into eternal life when we have completed our journey here on earth.
ALHAMISI TAREHE 25 JULAI 2019 ASUBUHI
MARKO 8:31-38
31 Akaanza kuwafundisha kwamba imempasa Mwana wa Adamu kupatikana na mateso mengi, na kukataliwa na wazee, na wakuu wa makuhani, na waandishi, na kuuawa, na baada ya siku tatu kufufuka.
32 Naye alikuwa akinena neno hilo waziwazi. Petro akamchukua, akaanza kumkemea.
33 Akageuka, akawatazama wanafunzi wake, akamkemea Petro, akasema, Nenda nyuma yangu, Shetani; maana huyawazi yaliyo ya Mungu, bali ya wanadamu.
34 Akawaita mkutano pamoja na wanafunzi wake, akawaambia, Mtu ye yote akitaka kunifuata na ajikane mwenyewe, ajitwike na msalaba wake, anifuate.
35 Kwa kuwa mtu atakaye kuiponya nafsi yake, ataiangamiza, na mtu atakayeiangamiza nafsi yake kwa ajili yangu na kwa ajili ya Injili, huyu ataisalimisha.
36 Kwa kuwa itamfaidia mtu nini kuupata ulimwengu wote, akipata hasara ya nafsi yake?
37 Ama mtu atoe nini badala ya nafsi yake?
38 Maana kila mtu atakayenionea haya mimi, na maneno yangu, katika kizazi hiki cha uzinzi na dhambi, Mwana wa Adamu atamwonea haya mtu huyo, atakapokuja katika utukufu wa Baba yake pamoja na malaika watakatifu.
Yesu alifundisha wanafunzi wake mara kwa mara kuhusu kifo chake. Petro hakutaka kukubali kwamba Yesu angekufa kifo cha aibu msalabani. Hata kwa Yesu ilikuwa ngumu sana. Lakini Yesu alikubali kwenda msalabani ili aweze kutuokoa. Maisha ya Wanafunzi wa Yesu pia siyo rahisi. Yesu hajaahidi kwamba maisha yetu duniani yatakuwa rahisi. Lakini faida ya kumwamini na kumtegemea Yesu ni kubwa sana. Yesu atatusaidia na tukimaliza safari yetu hapa duniani atatukaribisha mbinguni, ili Ple alipo na sisi tuwepo.
