“And He was saying to them all,
‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life (soul) will lose it, but whoever loses his life (soul) for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.'” (Luke 9:23-27 NASB)
Before building a theology around that last sentence, or borrowing from someone else, dwell on what Jesus was saying to “them all.” Now some would say Jesus was speaking only to His disciples. Well, Hello! He only speaks to disciples, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Even today we who believe in Jesus hear Him. The parables make sense to us or, like the disciples, we will ask what they mean.
We have been given the Holy Spirit. God inside of us. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13 NASB) My guess is that many readers focus on that last phrase, concerning the future, without giving thought that Jesus is the source. “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10 NASB)
Thank You Father for sending the Holy Spirit to guide us with the words of Christ. We have been told about the future made possible in the past, and all because of Your love. Impress upon our mind and heart Christ’s words that are heard. Open our eyes that we too might see Your kingdom, we dare to ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus.
His Family Table 