Comedian Drew Carey once said something that I think is quite funny. I hope no one will think it's sacrilegious. Carey asks, "So what's the Pope doing with bodyguards and bulletproof glass? Is he afraid someone will shoot him? [Is he afraid] he'll die and go to heaven? That would be horrible, huh?" Then Carey adds, "If the Pope's afraid to die, what chance do we have?"(1)

Interesting thought. I doubt that the Pope is afraid to die. I'm sure the bulletproof glass is so he can continue leading the Church as long as possible. But he is a human being, and most of us want to hold on to life as long as possible. That's why today's lesson from God's Word is so important.

Jesus' popularity was beginning to ebb. Those who had followed him in the beginning were falling by the wayside. Perhaps the …