The Sunday of The Prophet Daniel (G)

Luke 9:18-27

¹⁸ Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” ¹⁹ And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” ²⁰ Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

²¹ And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, ²² saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

²³ And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ²⁵ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Daniel is willing to be thrown into the Lion’s Den, possibly with the understand that he will be raised on the last day, but most likely facing his own death. He is willing to lose his life for his faith. Likewise, Christ lays down his life for your faith.

Many people may have descriptions of who they believe Jesus really is. But it is St Peter’s confession that he is, “The Christ of God,” which holds to the confession of Daniel. St Peter knows that Jesus is not just another prophet or some miracle worker. Jesus even illustrates further about himself, by saying that he will die and rise again.

This should call each of us out. Many people are willing to admit that they have a price, at which they would do crazy horrible things. Jesus identifies who is, and that you have a price. What would it take for you to be ashamed of Christ? What are you willing to give up for Christ, or have taken away from you?

St Peter gives his bold confession. But where will St Peter be when Christ comes into his Kingdom? Where will the rest of these disciples be when Jesus gives up his spirit up on the cross? It is easy for us to say that we would be there. But the truth is that God forgave them for not being there. God forgives us for being ashamed. God sent his only Son into the flesh to die for us while we were his enemies. Jesus knows this.

We are the enemies casting our Savior into the mouths of Lions. We cast him into that pit knowing full well that he should be devoured before he hits the bottom. But our Savior comes out three Days later. He comes to forgive us, and I guess the metaphorical lions. He still comes to show you he loves you.