Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to ltest you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But mrejoice insofar as you nshare Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are oinsulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the pSpirit of glory1 and of God rests upon you. 15 qBut let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone rsuffers as a sChristian, let him not be tashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment uto begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for vthose who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
w“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”2
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will xentrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
My Soul Thirsts for You
A Psalm of David, awhen he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God; bearnestly I seek you;
cmy soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have dlooked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
18 uNow 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, v“The Christ of God.”
Jesus Foretells His Death
21 wAnd he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to xno one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be yrejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the zthird day be raised.”
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
23 aAnd he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and btake up his cross cdaily and dfollow me. 24 eFor whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
