Let me explain this principle through a story from Jesus’ life. Jesus has been on a roll, performing a number of miracles. The crowds are flocking to see him, wondering who he is. So Jesus asks his closest followers a Radical Question: Mark 8:27-29 (NLT) As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” 29 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am? Peter replied, “You are the Messiah”. Our fisherman from last week, Peter—he knows. Jesus is the Messiah—the Christ—the anointed one God promised to send to deliver Israel from foreign oppression and bring peace. Peter knows this, but he is clueless as to the kind of Messiah Jesus will be—a suffering One. Jesus offers a Radical Comeback. Mark 8:31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. Look at Peter’s reaction. 32 As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. I don’t recommend that approach with Jesus! Peter’s Messiah was not going to suffer or be killed because that would mean getting caught in the crossfire. Peter realizes that there would be a price for associating with Jesus. There could be tough times, suffering, and rejection. Peter isn’t ready for the payment plan to follow Jesus. Then Jesus offers Peter a radical reprimand. Mark 8:33 (NLT) Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Peter wanted what he could get from Jesus, the benefits, not the cost. Jesus calls Peter out. “You’re acting like a consumer, not a follower. Peter, you’re missing the fact that God has an adventure for you and me that will be costly.” Then Jesus explains how joining his adventure and associating with Him will be costly. 8:34 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” “If anyone would come after me.” “To come after” was often used of a learner pursuing his teacher or a lover pursuing after his beloved. It’s an irresistible desire to be with the one you love and respect. It’s choosing to give your life to someone and join their adventure. Jesus then lays out a Radical Set Of Demands for following Him—he states these 2 demands in the negative and the positive. First, negatively: 1. You Must Deny Yourself.“…he must deny himself” Don’t confuse denying yourself with self-denial. The other day I denied myself a fudge-peanut butter milkshake at Sonic. This is different. Denying yourself is recognizing there are two ways you can live your life of adventure: the Self-way or God’s way. Following Jesus will eventually cost you something. From time to time you will have to say no to yourself and serve God and others; to go last rather than first; to live God’s way—to obey him rather than satisfy your desires or agenda on the adventure. There will be moments or intersections in life where you will have to decide whether to say no to Jesus or no to yourself. There will be forks in the road when what you want is different than what God wants. And you’ll have a choice to make—consumer or follower? And there may be a cost to say no to you and yes to Him. Will you choose to be a consumer or a follower?
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 04:43:38 +0000
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