Matthew 17:22-23 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
Saturday, August 1 - Matthew 17:22-23 This passage comes before Jesus talked to Peter about the temple tax (see Monday’s devotion), but it is helpful to finish out the week. The power of God is not found in big, amazing places and like the disciples this distresses us. God’s greatest act of power and strength happened on a cross where a Jewish peasant died a horrible death at the hands of the most powerful political empire in the world. In the kingdom of heaven humility is great, poverty, mourning, and weakness are blessed, and death is the pathway to life. This distresses us because it means we must give up power and control. But that is what love is. Love does not overpower or control. Love serves. That is what Jesus has done for you! And that is our calling, too.