The readings for the day present a nice contrast. On the one hand, Moses tells his people
If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God...
loving him, and walking in his ways,
and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,
you will live and grow numerous,
and the LORD, your God,
will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.
On the other hand, Jesus who kept the commandments of his Father, loved him and walked in his ways says
"The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised."
"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 will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?"
So on the one hand, Moses proclaims a form of prosperity theology. Follow God and you will grow numerous and your land will be blessed. On the other hand, Jesus says, follow God, take up your cross, and follow me in suffering greatly and being rejected and killed.
Talk about tough love.
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