Matthew 16:25-28 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Profit and loss.

As the time of the brief ministry of Jesus drew to its close, he began to show his disciples how he must go to Jerusalem and suffer and be killed, and rise again the third day. The sombre part of this anticipation was a terrible shock to the strong Jewish prejudices of Peter; and he lost sight of the glorious element of the resurrection. So is prejudice blind evermore. He had. the presumption to take Jesus to task, and stoutly protested against any such issue. For this temerity Peter merited a terrible rebuke from Christ, who, after administering it, insisted upon self-denial and cross lifting as essential to his discipleship. Then he proceeded to reason and expostulate in the words of the text.

I. WHAT IS THE GAIN ? THE WORLD .

1 . Not the empire of the universe.

2 . Not the empire of this earth.

3 . All the pleasures of the worldling.

4 . But hold, the colouring is too high!

(a) Health will not abide it.

(b) Capacity is limited, and to surcharge is to produce revulsion and disgust.

(c) Conscience will have its reckoning.

(d) Fear will intrude with thoughts of the coming of the "Son of man in the glory of his Father with his angels" to "reward to every man according to his deeds." It will bring alarmingly near the judgment in the doom of death.

II. WHAT IS THE LOSS ? THE SOUL .

1 . Its greatness is seen in its achievements.

2 . It is evident in its capability of God.

3 . It is seen in God ' s estimate.

III. WHAT IS THE PROFIT ?

1 . For what do you barter your soul?

(a) Sensuality. Wine. Women.

(b) Covetousness. Gain by meanness. Gain by trend. Gain by oppression.

(c) Ambition.

The esteem of the deceived. Or the esteem of the vain. What does it profit?

2 . What is the profit when life is spent?

3 . What must we sacrifice for the soul?