The disciple Peter whom Jesus says is the rock upon which his church will be founded understands clearly what others have not grasped — that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Having given a right answer to the question he balks at Jesus’s teaching about what it will mean to follow Jesus to the cross. So, we struggle with that great paradox what does it mean to lose your life to find it? What kind of life or self do you want to have? Living in a culture that prioritizes putting self first above all else — to have what you want, when you want it regardless of how it affects anyone else or even the planet. What does Jesus mean when he says pick up your instrument of death, follow me, and lose your life to find it?