NOTES: 1] What Jesus tells the disciples runs counter to all their previous expectations of a Messiah. 2] Contrast Peter's vote of confidence in Jesus in v.16 with his reaction here. 3] 'Satan' originally meant one who prosecuted a person's failings before God. 4] Theologian Kosuke Koyama (No Handle on the Cross, London, SCM, '76) says 'there is no convenient way of carrying a cross...it has no handle...Jesus didn't say, "Take up your lunch box & follow me". 5] In DAN 7: 13-14 the Son of Man (who may represent Israel as a whole) has a God-given authority over nations & world affairs. See also REV 1:13+.

WARMING UP:  If asked, "Would you like the bad news first, or the good?", which do we usually choose?

TREASURES OLD & NEW: Identify God at work in anything this week?

EXPLORING GOSPEL:

21-23    Has our future ever looked so bleak as Jesus' looks to him at this stage? If the outlook for us isn't good, are we as likely to share it with others close to us? As much as if it were rosy? How likely are we to have our plans or future frustrated by those in power, those close to us, in our own circle? Or, more likely by our own action or inaction? Have we ever been 'raised' by being given a lifeline, a new lease of life after being threatened with being 'wiped out' in some way? Do we, did we see God's hand in that? How do we know God's 'hand' when we see or feel it, as distinct from a human hand? Is Jesus' own confidence in his resurrection any encouragement to us as we journey through life's ups & downs? Are we at all encouraged by the fact that Jesus' Passion & Resurrection happen just as he foretells?

Have we ever 'taken Jesus (God) aside' & 'rebuked him' in any sense? Ever been a 'stumbling block' of some sort to Jesus & God's work? How would we feel if Jesus called us 'Satan'? What might he mean? What's the test of whether our hearts are set on the things of God, & not earthly things?

24-28     In practical terms, & in today's language, what might it mean to a) deny our self? b) take up our cross? c) follow Jesus? How could trying to save our own life cause us to lose it? How could losing our life for Jesus' sake mean that we save it? Have we ever gained some material benefit only to realise it was to the detriment of our soul (the real us)? Ever been tempted to 'sell our soul'? By whom, or what? How much is our life worth?

Do we find it easier to relate to Jesus as the earthy Son of Man (Jesus one of us), or the supernatural Son of Man from above (Captain Rescue?) What reward are we looking forward to for our deeds? Given what Jesus says about "some here not tasting death...." are we taking seriously enough the fact that God's Rule has already arrived among us in the Person of Jesus & his Passion & Resurrection? What are the consequences of recognizing or not recognizing that Rule?