David Bahn – Reflections

There is a great scene in the movie “Bruce Almighty” that has Bruce in charge of answering all the prayers of all the people in the world. He is overwhelmed by a mere few seconds of that duty. Finally he answers all the prayers, “YES,” only to discover that he has made a worse mess of things. The film portrays a trite view of prayer, God, and most things religious. But the point is made: we would not do a good job of running the universe, although we would love to try our hand at it from time to time.

Peter tries his hand at running the universe, or at least Jesus’ life and Jesus calls him on it. In fact Jesus calls Peter a tool of Satan! He realizes that the deepest need for the good of the world is to be found in the redemption of the world. And that redemption will be accomplished by Jesus’ death.

Matthew 16:21-28

²¹ From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²²And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” ²³But he turned and said to Peter,  “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

²⁴Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ²⁶For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. ²⁸Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Then comes the profound teaching: If you want to gain life, lose it for Jesus’ sake. If you try to hold onto life you will lose it. If you give yourself fully to Jesus’ ways you will find it. There is much more to this, but for now it would be enough for us to remember that if you want to run the universe be prepared to lay down your life for it; for it will cost you everything. Perhaps we ought to leave that to the One who has already laid down his life for us and all people, and serve and honor him in all we do.