The Mission

18^th Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew 20:17-19. Jesus predicts his own death and resurrection a third time.

• Three weeks ago I ran the Charleston Distance Run, a 15 mile run along either side of the Kanawha in downtown Charleston. Weather was cool to hot. There were large hills from mile 3-7, then long flats. One picture of me taken along the route shows me fresh and energetic, victory in my eyes. A second picture shows me tired but still going. barely. somehow.

When do you think encouragement was needed most?
At beginning, when there’s a long way to go?
Near end, when only a little left? 

When do you think it was received?

• Today’s gospel reading in Matthew is the third time Jesus talks about going to Jerusalem to be killed, and I think in part he’s expressing need for encouragement.
In today’s reading we’re just a week from Palm Sunday.
He’s 13 miles in.

Jesus knows his purpose
(to do the will of his father (Jn 6:38),
to seek & save (Lk 19:10),
to call sinners to repent (Mk 2:17),
that they may have life (Jn 10:10))

Three chapters and many miles and stories earlier, (Matt 16, which we read in April) Peter confesses Jesus is the Christ.
Jesus celebrates he has a running partner! 

And then says his plan: This ultramarathon leads directly to death.
Says Pete nuh-uh. Rough way to begin a hard race,
but Jesus does it anyway.

• CDR had hills at the beginning and then a long flat.
What’s at tail end of Jesus’ race?

Handed over. To our religious leaders. Condemned to death.

Handed over. To THEM. For ridicule, torture, death by crucifixion.

Jesus faced this at the end of his race. Shame. Stripped of dignity to boot.

• Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel.

2 Samuel 6:22 I will become more undignified than this… I will celebrate the Lord.

• Discipleship may mean suffering. Don’t shirk. Represent.

• Be an encourager. Especially @end of race. Represent.

• And thank God. And Philippians 1:27 whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

• Hymn insert Jesus Paid It All

Matthew 20:17-19 (CEB) 09/27/15

¹⁷ As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside by themselves on the road. He told them, ¹⁸ “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and legal experts. They will condemn him to death. ¹⁹ They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be ridiculed, tortured, and crucified. But he will be raised on the third day.”               (here ends the reading)