Title: Take up Your Cross
Text: Mark 8:31-38
Subject; How does Jesus define discipleship?
Complement; Jesus says it means that you too take up your cross.
Big idea: “True disciples don’t just wear a cross around their necks - they put it on their shoulders.”
Introduction – we are moving toward Holy Week and Easter...some observe this as the season of Lent (self-denial)
• Some give up coffee
• Chocolate
• Even Broccoli and Brussel sprouts fall victim to Lent!
How does Jesus prepare his disciples and ourselves for Easter?
Mark 8:31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Context ? the cross is only a few weeks away at best ...Jesus is moving south from Galilee to Jerusalem... he’s entering the final stages of his ministry – which will climax with his crucifixion/resurrection 3 days later.
I. Situation/Problem – The Son Of Man Must Suffer...Be Rejected... Be Killed... After 3 Days, Rise.
Jesus has been preparing his disciples for 3 whole years – but they still think of discipleship in terms of selfish and political ambitions.
• Notice another conversation in chapter 9:
9:33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Here in Mark 8 Notice the language Jesus uses: – “the son of Man must suffer...” v. 31
• Son of man is Jesus preferred way to refer to himself
• OT... esp Daniel...7:!3-14 “all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him...”
The son of man – the one with “glory...power...dominion...” must suffer???
Why?
• First of all, because it's God plan and Jesus purpose.
o I did not come to be served – but to serve and to give my life as a ransom.” (Mark 10:45)
• Second, notice, it's not a mistake because Jesus was out-smarted.
• Third, Jesus didn’t simply say I came to die – he says “I have to die.” – there’s no other way.
o Gal 2:21 “if righteousness could be gained/achieved – then Christ died for nothing.”
o There is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:!2)
Why? It is a legal necessity. ... sin must be “atoned for”
illustrate – someone drops/breaks your smart phone – broken glass
o Option 1 – live with a broken screen (you Absorb the cost)
o Option 2 – you pay for the repair yourself (also, you Absorb the cost)
o Option 3 – guilty party pays for the repair (Can’t/won’t- they refuse to admit/apologize//”unrepentant”)
o Option 4 – Your Mom pays for the repair.(Substitution)
• Jesus – Son of Man – pays for the “repair”
o “must suffer”. (Substitution)
o Only the holy God can repair an offence against the holy God... the holiness of God is so great(!)... we can never pay the debt – nor can anyone else.
• This is the Sin problem – rejection of God/failure to love him above all other loves/affections... creating a broken relationship
Q. are you living a life of sin? ... are you worshipping false gods? Do you think your goodness is good enough to impress God?
The cross says no... you need a saviour!
t.s. Mark 8:31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this...
II. Complication: Brash & Passionate Peter doesn’t like the plan! so he rebukes Jesus! V. 32
32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
• Peter rebukes Jesus because he doesn’t understand the “must.”
• Peter wants Jesus to skip the cross – and get to the 2nd coming (v. 38b)...come in your glory with the angels...
• Maybe Peter was thinking – if Jesus gets himself killed – and we’re followers of Jesus – we could be next!
Peter doesn’t understand the necessity of the cross – ad he doesn’t understand the implications of following Jesus ... as his disciple.
I wonder... do we?
• So... Jesus has to rebuke Peter!
• This same Peter - who minutes ago said “you are the messiah” (v. 29)
• Peter recognized “messiah” – but he didn’t know what it meant- crucifixion.
Peter’s concept of the “Christ” is too narrow, too laden with selfish, human fantasies.
He thinks that the Christ will establish a reign of peace and righteousness by overthrowing the powers who hold God’s people Israel in oppression.
For Peter, a suffering Messiah is impossible. The Messiah will come as a triumphant hero, dishing out punishment to those who oppose him.
Quote;
***The disciples cannot know who Jesus really is without accepting the necessity of his suffering and death, and they cannot be his disciples unless they accept that reality for themselves.
Look carefully at Jesus words to Peter... Get out of the way...”Satan”
“ you do not have in mind the things of God...” “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (v. 33)
• his own 12 disciples still want to redirect his mission.
We are the same...
o We have in mind ourselves... our family... our career...our bank account... we want Jesus blessings... but not his cross.
We are blessed to be a blessing...
We are his disciples to take up our cross.
“true disciples of Christ don’t just wear a cross around their necks – but carry it on our shoulders.”
“You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (v. 33)
Neil Postman – (amusing ourselves to death) “... Christianity is a demanding and serious religion. When it is delivered as easy and amusing, it is another kind of religion altogether.”17
III. Resolution: Jesus Teaches The 12 (Us)... The Nature Of True Discipleship: v. 34
34 Then he called the crowd to him ...along with his disciples and said:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (v. 34)
Notice, the Crowd is invited ...
Quote – “We must be careful not to confuse the call for self-denial with asceticism— i.e. denying things that delight us—
...It is not the denial of something to the self that Jesus is referring to -- but the denial of the self itself. It is the opposite of self-affirmation, of putting ultimate value on self, one’s life, one’s position- before man or God.
**This is hard to grasp in this culture of “self-glorification”... “believe in yourself” – true or false?
**If you believe in yourself with an ultimate belief – you are misguided.
If you believe in yourself as made in the image of God and dependent upon him for life and salvation and wisdom and truth—that’s a healthy measure of self.
Jesus demands self-denial... self-reliance. He does not ask disciples to deny something to themselves but to deny the self and all self-promoting ambitions. God refuses to accept a minor role in our lives; he requires a controlling place. Those who deny themselves have learned to say, “Not my will but thine be done.”
Jesus demands that we take up a cross. This vivid imagery must have sounded strange to them (AND TO US NOW) ... Public executions were a prominent feature of life in the 1st century. CRUCIFIXION WAS ASSOCIATED WITH TORTURE... CRIMINALS DESERVED SUCH TREATMENT. Crucifixion was a cruel, disgusting penalty, the worst of extreme tortures inflicted on slaves.
**By requiring disciples to carry their cross, Jesus expects them to be willing to join the ranks of the despised and doomed.
They must be ready to deny themselves even to the point of giving their lives.
The Message? “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.”
Notice with me ...chapter 9:31-32 31
He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
Notice also chapter 10:32-34
32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
Three times Jesus presses the point to the 12... we are slow to grasp this truth.
Let’s camp out in verse 34 for a moment--- “three days later he will rise.” Death can never be separated from resurrection in the gospel story! Resurrection = the defeat of sin... the evil one.. and signals a new world order.
IV. Application... Bearing a cross.
The cross is the heart of the gospel, and bearing your cross is a central requirement of discipleship. Making the verbal confession that Jesus is the Christ is not enough. He does not ask for modest adjustments in our lives but a complete overhaul of our behavior and values.
He calls us to surrender and die to self...
The call for self-sacrifice, however, is given the soft sell in too many congregations and ministries today. Unlike some contemporary peddlers of the gospel, Jesus does not offer his disciples varieties of self-fulfillment, intoxicating spiritual experiences, or intellectual stimulation. He presents them with a cross. He does not invite them try the cross on for size to see if they like it. He does not ask for volunteers to carry one for extra credit.
This separates the disciples from the admirers. (and crowd looking for a miracle)
*** “Jesus had no intention to fill the ranks of his army with volunteers who professed allegiance to him .. but were unwilling to make sacrifices. Jesus does not want a convoy of followers who marvel at his deeds but fail to follow his example.
But What about me and my needs?
Isn’t Jesus going to bless me? ... isn’t the prosperity gospel right???
• If a church is a self-help support group with a band... it's not a discipleship collective.
Historical note – in ancient Israel Herod had built large outdoor arenas for horse and chariot racing called “Hippodromes” (Hippo = horse) (dramas = course) – there’s a big one in Caesarea (Capital of province of Judea) .
But Jesus never rented the place once.
It's not a horrible idea... it would be unforgettable to see that place filled with worshippers of Jesus.
I would love to see “Mile 1” filled with worshippers – who wouldn’t want that!
• It seems to make sense...
But Jesus says, “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (v. 33)
So what is Jesus priority?
o He’s looking for people to follow him...take up the cross...carry the cross.
Please don’t misunderstand me... I want to see you blessed too... I do love you all... I mean you no harm! But we are blessed – to be a blessing – to reach lost people... to rescue the perishing.
Listen carefully to Jesus words... v. 35 ...35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
o Counter-intuitive ...
o “must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free...no there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for me.”
Why is Jesus so firm on this point?
Because
(1) the mission is great
(2) the opposition is fierce
(3) the human heart is stubborn
(4) Jesus shed his blood -- and we can never turn his sacrifice into a selfish blessing.
Can we make the gospel about me and mine??
... Peter wanted to make it about power – that’s the USA’s problem— North America...
That’s the problem with the so-called “prosperity gospel.” (it feeds selfishness and greed)
Big idea: “True disciples don’t just wear a cross around their necks - they put it on their shoulders.”
Peter tries to stop Jesus radical call to discipleship and soften the gospel...smooth it's rough edges – that’s why he rebukes Jesus... you and I would have done the same...make no mistake, Peter speaks for all of us.
And lets be honest, it's so hard to surrender ourselves... it's hard to put anyone before ourselves – even Jesus.
It's hard to put Jesus before our family.
And Jesus wants you to highly value your family...love and cherish your family... but recall Jesus words;
Luke 14:25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Jesus says... To save your life, -- lose it. (Give it to Christ)
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Notice the tension of choices...
Big idea: “True disciples don’t just wear a cross around their necks - they put it on their shoulders.”
Jesus’ Final Appeal To Discipleship – Judgement Day.
Now Jesus moves the demands of discipleship to the finish line...
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Jesus next warns his disciples about the judgment, when each one will have to give an account before the Judge.
This is tough talk... Jesus is going to the cross very soon... and he’s calling us to do the same.
Big idea: “True disciples don’t just wear a cross around their necks - they put it on their shoulders.”
Application – we are blessed (Saved) – for obedience – i.e., in order to be a blessing.
Top line blessing- me/you
Bottom line blessing - others
Big idea: “True disciples don’t just wear a cross around their necks - they put it on their shoulders.”
Questions to consider...
• How is your ambition in life shaped by your obedience to Christ?
• How is your spending shaped by your obedience to carry your cross?
• How are your morals shaped by Christ or culture?
o I don’t mean the superficial things that sometimes Christians over-emphasize – but deeper morals... sexual morals... discrimination/favourtism/racism... justice/compassion...
• Let me ask you’re a tough question – what are you willing to die for?
o Your country?
o Your family?
o Integrity?
o Your faith?
• What are you willing to lose a friend over?
o Perhaps they are leading you astray?
o What about a girl-friend or boy-friend?
• What are you willing to lose a job over?
Paul said this - Acts 20 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me
Big idea: “True disciples don’t just wear a cross around their necks - they put it on their shoulders.”
