Take Up Your Cross

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...