Impending war in Iraq; an uncertain economic future; terrorism, a serial killer at large in Baton Rouge -- many things weigh heavily on our minds. At times, we wrestle with doubt and worry, fear and concerns.
Our Lord wants us to struggle with our thoughts and concerns today. In the Gospel reading our Savior probes into our innermost being and dares to move us forward in grace. Jesus does this by having us grapple with our thoughts. The Savior asks each of us: WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? Is it 1) The Things of Men, or 2) The Things of God?
1) The Things of Men
You might remember the comedian Yakov Smirnoff. When he first came to the United States from Russia he was not prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in American grocery stores. He says, "On my first shopping trip, I saw powdered milk--you just add water, and you get milk. Then I saw powdered orange juice--you just add water, and you get orange juice. And then I saw baby powder, and I thought to my self, “What a country!"
Mr. Smirnoff was joking but we make similar assumptions about Christian discipleship. Some churches teach that once a person is brought to faith that’s it, as if there’s an immediate, substantial, in-depth, miraculous change in habits, attitudes, and character; perfection is achieved. We go to church as if we are going to the grocery store: Powdered Christians. Just add water.
Now it is true that God declares us to be perfect in his eyes -- Justified. But that is because he sees us through Jesus Christ, our Savior. God does declare us holy and perfect in Jesus, but what declares us to be he also calls us to be -- Sanctified. This is where the struggle becomes real in our lives.
Jesus was teaching his disciples this truth: “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” Jesus did this so that his disciples might understand what he came to accomplish. The problem is that sinful minds are slow to understand this blessed truth. It focuses on the “things of men.”
The 12 disciples were of no exception. They failed to see the necessity to Jesus’ suffering and death. Therefore, they failed to appreciate the value of his death. Our weak, sinful minds also have great difficulty appreciating the truth of Christ’s redemptive work. In fact, we might even detest the thought of a Savior who died for us.
The thought of it is offensive. We may even want to deny the thought of it. It’s depressing. It’s frightening. It’s appalling. Our minds try to convince us that we’re not so bad. Things aren’t so drastic that God would have to go to such measures. And so our Lord’s sacrifice is pushed aside. It is the last thought we’d want to have on our minds. To be honest, many churches push Christ’s redemptive work aside. It’s too gruesome a subject matter. It’s too troubling to talk to children about it, so the message of the Savior is crammed into the deep recesses of the mind in favor for other things.
Instead of the cross many preachers focus on earthly success and prosperity: Instead of God’s grace that heals the soul, there is the mystic power of the preacher’s touch that heals the flesh; rather than the heavenly riches purchased by Christ’s blood, there is the fascination with balanced checking accounts, casting out the “evil spirit of debt” from our lives, and pursuing financial freedom as greater gifts from the Spirit.
Just like Peter, we are tempted to focus on the “things of men” to the point we take Jesus aside and rebuke him. We’re tempted to be instant-mix disciples, powdered Christians. The temptation is for cheap grace. Cheap grace is grace without the cross, grace without discipleship, grace without Jesus Christ, living, suffering, dying, and rising in our place. Cheap grace tells Jesus to stay in heaven that we really don’t need him. Everything’s all right here. Cheap grace looks for a quick fix to spiritual problems. Cheap grace winks at sin, doesn’t seriously consider its consequences, and denies any payment for it.
Christ did not come to offer “cheap” grace. Our salvation cost him dearly. It cost him his very life. Yet, Jesus offered himself willingly for us because he is not content with powdered Christians, or instant-mix disciples. So Christ came to be crushed for us. St. Mark writes: “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.”
Jesus had to suffer and die because God almighty had decreed it in his holy Word. Jesus also had to suffer and die because divine grace compelled him to. It was necessary for Jesus to be pulverized for us. He had to carry our sins away because that was the only way for God to have us as his children once again.
Consider the beautifully prophetic words of Isaiah, chapter 53: “Surely he took up our infirmities, and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” That is not cheap grace. It cost God dearly. Yet, it is free grace because he did it all willingly.
God’s love has come to us. His love has reached down and pulled us up out of sin and despair. God has raised us up and draws us close to him. He has loved the unlovable. He made the costliest sacrifice of love in order to redeem us and keep us. Throughout his life, Christ thought of you. From a baby in a manger to the cross on Calvary, you were on his mind.
2) The Things of God
These are the “things of God.” And it does us well to focus our minds on such things, so we do not forget our Savior’s love. Yet, Jesus does more than guide our thoughts and conduct in regard to his Passion. He actually knows what’s on our mind and governs our thoughts in regard to our lives as his disciples.
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Jesus spoke these words to all of his disciples because the whole group had something on their minds. They all thought it repulsive that Jesus should gain the greatest glory by suffering and dying. This thought also ran directly counter to their own personal ambitions concerning their place in God’s kingdom. They thought they were going to receive positions of authority in an earthly kingdom. To this thought Jesus says, “Deny yourself.” Jesus says that to every willing follower. When Peter later denied Jesus, he said, “I don’t know the man!” He disowned Jesus, maintaining that he had nothing to do with him in the past and wanted nothing to do with him in the future. What thoughts weighed on his mind!
From this we see what Jesus means when he says, “Deny yourself!” To our sinful selves we are to say, “I disown you! In love for my Savior I will not listen to myself when I am urged to follow sinful inclinations, selfish desires, and ambitions. I will have nothing to do with it. In love for Jesus, I will say, ‘Out of my sight, Satan!’”
To think that way is not easy. It involves a cross. Now, Jesus’ first disciples knew what he was hinting at. The cross was a symbol of torture, used to punish and execute only the worst criminals. Taking up a cross means being ready to suffer shame, ridicule, and even death to remain faithful to Jesus. Has a friend or co-worker ever mocked you for your faith? Holding to Christian beliefs and living a Christ-like life will often raise the ire of others around us. They may even become hostile with you, even cruel. If so, then there’s your cross. To carry a cross in Jesus’ name is to consider your own welfare last. It means even disagreeable tasks are tackled on behalf of others. It takes much self-denial to serve the Lord in his kingdom.
“What are you thinking, Jesus?” That may be the thought that comes to mind. After all, Jesus’ words seem illogical. How can people gain life from losing life? Does that make any sense? The wisdom of this world would have us believe that we all need to look out for number one--OURSELVES. People are appalled by Jesus’ question: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Isn’t that what it’s all about – gaining the world? Gaining the whole world is a thought so deeply ingrained into our society--especially from the advertising industry--that we’ve turned it into a cheap means to salvation, a god, a creed to replace Christ.
What’s your greatest, most treasured possession? Some might say family or children. Others would claim their business or worldly goods as treasured possessions. Jesus tells us the real answer. It’s your soul. Can a bass boat float you into heaven? Can a fat bank account pay the debt of sin? Can your family provide eternal residence for you? If the soul is lost, no price is large enough to redeem it. Your eternal salvation can be had only by trusting in Christ Jesus your Savior. That is the bit of news we need to help us as we strive to follow him in our lives, especially as we bear our crosses and suffer loss for his name’s sake.
Faith in Jesus is a gift; let’s not throw it away. We may face crosses for Jesus’ sake, but his kingdom still comes in power. His faithful Word still feeds hungry souls, lifts up the weary hearts, and offers strength to the weak consciences. Know that Jesus humbled himself for you. He denied eternal glory for the pangs of hell – all for you. He carried the cross of our sins to Calvary. Let the simple truths of the gospel occupy our thoughts. And if there is a cross in our path, we will bear it. But don’t forget Jesus’ promise. There will also be a crown of glory on the last day. Know that Christ is not ashamed of his beloved. He considers it a privilege to share his eternal home with us. So, rest assured that, no matter what may come, you are on your Savior’s mind now and forever. Amen.
