Trajectory Check - Wk4
January 26, 2020

Trajectory Check

Matthew 16:21-28

Flight plan =


(Def.) the path an object follows through space as a function of time
If you want to change the , you have to change the .


Matthew 16:21-28
Context - Jesus and the disciples have just established who Jesus is as the Messiah - now that they’re clear on that, Jesus wants to be clear on the trajectory he will take. Being “the best” didn’t mean what they thought it meant…

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” —Matthew 16:21-28


trajectory is different from trajectory.

Jesus’ path was suffering and death, which led to life for everyone.

The Holy Spirit maps us onto Jesus’ trajectory.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first.” —Jesus, John 15:18
“I will boast in my weakness.” —Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope, which does not disappoint us.” —Paul, Romans 5:3-4

We can go for easy, or we can keep asking questions like:
- What is the next generation worth?
- What am I willing to sacrifice for my kids, for my neighbor, for my enemy?
- What does love require of me?