Matthew 16:21-28 is the lectionary text for next Sunday. I offer it for your consideration in preparation of next Sunday's Worship.
Jesus announced what being Messiah/the Christ meant, after Peter rightly identified Jesus as that.
It meant suffering and sacrificial death for the sake of others, even at the hands of the leaders of the church in that time and place, who were in collusion with empire.
Peter wanted the glory for Jesus (and, ultimately for himself, I believe).
We all want a long life, prosperity, power and status in the world, don't we?
We've been taught that as the "American Way" all our lives. It is about getting more for ourselves and our own. It is about more wealth, more power and more status. It is empire's way.
Achievement, acquiring more things, monetary security beyond any doubt, having control over our own lives and those "under" us, being recognized as a cut above the rest is hammered into our hearts and minds from youth. That is empire. It is what empire would have us pursue as values for life in these here United States of 'muriKKKa.
For Jesus, and given Jesus' rebuke of Peter, for the followers of Jesus, it is about fulfilling what God wants for humanity, even if that means the sacrifice of some to change the status of the many.
Empire values a few over the many.
Kingdom values the sacrifice of the many for each other.
Empire values the extreme wealth, power and status of a few at the expense of the many.
Kingdom values enough for all people.
Empire values division, exploitation, ruthlessness, exclusion, oppression in its devotion to its gods of Wealth, Power and Status.
Kingdom values unity, community, generosity, advocacy, the empowerment of all equally, inclusion and solidarity out of Agape Love and Grace.
Peter was rebuked for putting selfish desires above the needs of all.
So are we being rebuked by God for our collusion with empire values.
Jesus then makes it very clear in Matthew's Gospel about what Discipleship means -
Denying self, sacrificing self as Jesus did.
Where empire values the arrogant indulgence of self above or at the expense of others, Jesus calls for humble self denial in order that all may have enough of what they need for Shalom in their lives.
"You put down your money, you take your choice, and then you live with it."
Jesus informs us in this Gospel message, that for any who live under empire -
If you want to preserve your own life, save the life of obtaining the perks of empire, you will lose your life with God.
If you lose your life heaped in the values of empire for Jesus' sake, because of your belief in Jesus' Good News way of living of Agape Love and Grace being God's Way for you and a more sustainable way for the world, then you will gain life with God, now and forever.
That's pretty clear, right?
We are not supposed to gain the whole world for ourselves out of greed, lust for power or desire for status. If we do that, we have lost our souls.
We are called by Jesus to have our lives restored in the living of Agape Love and Grace, in loving neighbor as self, in denying ourselves and even sacrificing for the sake of ALL people.
So, gain the world empire has to offer and lose your soul, the soul of our nation?
Live in advocacy and even sacrifice for the sake of ALL people around us, including ourselves, in order that ALL may have ENOUGH of what they need for SHALOM (completeness, wholeness, well-being) in their lives out of real justice and toward peace?
Jesus promises to return and repay us all for what we have done in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
That is either a promise or a threat.
Which is it for you?
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