The Roads to Perdition and Glory

Matthew 16:21-28

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? "For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

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I. Though we don't know the exact origin, the phrase "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" paints a picture fitting our reading today from Matthew's Gospel. The road to hell is often paved with good intentions, but whose intentions are the key for us to keep in mind. There is a fine line between the road that leads to judgment and the road that leads to glory. And each day, we discover that choices in front of us influence the direction we head. Do we set our hearts and minds on the cross of Jesus? Or do we set off with good intentions only to stumble and haphazardly make our way down the road to perdition?

II. Context

A. Now, maybe that's a misnomer or misguiding on my part. It's unfair to set a situation where we are faced with only two ultimate outcomes because we know that life is complex and our decisions do not always fall within the absolutes of right and wrong. Life, after all, is more gray when we add in additional context.  

B. Previously, Jesus asked the disciples who they said Jesus was and what they thought about Jesus: 

1. The disciples are quick to respond by saying how others view Jesus. 

2. Peter eventually says that Jesus is the Messiah. 

C. After proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, should we be surprised how taken aback he is when Jesus states that the Son of Man must die? It's not that Peter doesn't understand Jesus' mission, but surely there must be another way, so he wants to do everything he can to prevent Jesus' death. Yet that isn't aligned with the will of God, and Jesus is quick to rebuke such a sentiment from Peter. 

III. How many of us, at one point or another, found ourselves wanting to do something beneficial only for it to backfire on us? 

A. It reminds me of some folks I used to work with; it started to rain one day, so someone offered to roll up their colleague's window. Well, they got to one vehicle, and the key somewhat fit (enough so that it turned over and the windows rolled up), but they couldn't get the key out, because it was the wrong key (luckily, it was an easy fix). 

B. I think Peter was afraid of what would happen once Jesus was gone. The world he 

knew, and the faith he developed, none of it would be the same. Fear is undoubtedly a factor in wanting to do the right thing but the wrong way. 

C.Sometimes, our well-intentioned actions can actually hinder God's purpose in our lives and in the world. And the impact that has on our lives does not only affect us, but the entire sphere of influence each of us has as we move about different social circles.

IV. The road to glory is one paved with challenges conquered. For some, that will be fear, denial of certain pleasures, and sacrifice might even be required for others. The road to glory requires us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus; we can't stay in the same place or walk the same road forever. As the late James (Jimmy) Buffet reminds us, "Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, nothing remains quite the same."

A. I believe the most significant challenge for the church as we progress through the years will be making the daily choice to follow in the steps of Jesus. It's insufficient to slap "Jesus" onto our church programming or signs. We will be required to actually move beyond faith that is comfortable, faith that is static, and beyond a faith where we only profess our love and yearning to explore who God is within the silence of our hearts. 

B. Our faith must extend beyond mere professions of love and yearning. It calls us to actively explore who God is within and without our hearts and live out our faith in the world. We are challenged to be a dynamic, transformative force that not only proclaims Christ but also embodies Christ's teachings and example, and that is critical for our walk with Jesus as we carry our cross, knowing that it will set us on the road of glory with a friend and savior by our side.

V. If we live like this, if we are willing to take on this hard work, and that is something we need to ask ourselves, then we will discover what it means to be an accurate reflection of the light and glory that comes from God. In doing these things, we live out a belief that faith is not for ourselves, that God is not ours and ours alone. We must be receptive to the reforming power of God's claim on our lives. And in doing so, our inward and outward change will impact others. Faith is communal, love is collective, and by embodying these things, we tell the world that our hearts have been transformed for the benefit of all. 

We may not always walk a straight and direct path on the road to glory. Sometimes, we may walk the other way, take a detour, or get lost! But if we are willing to keep asking questions and keep expanding our spiritual horizon, that is what matters in the end.