Introduction
We come now to the
first climax of Jesus’ public ministry. Every good story has
tension that builds to a climax. Really good stories have
several climaxes. This is not the great climax (the cross &
resurrection), but rather a precursor climax which sets the stage for
the big climax. This first climax takes place near Caesarea-Philippi,
just before Jesus takes his fateful last journey to Jerusalem.
It concerns two decisions by Jesus’ disciples--one that they
make in this passage, and another one that Jesus calls on them to
make. As we will see, Jesus calls on you and me to makes these same
decisions. Let’s look at Luke’s account in Lk. 9 . . .
Decision #1
Read 9:18. The
topic of conversation is Jesus’ identity. Over a period of
time, Jesus has attracted them and given them evidence of his
uniqueness (MIRACLES, TEACHINGS, HIS LOVE). They have begun to
wonder aloud who is he (8:25), but he hasn’t answered. Now he
initiates discussion about the question of his identity, first
generally--“Who do people say that I am?”
Why is Jesus so
concerned about this? Not because he is unsure about his identity
and needed their affirmation,
but because it is so important for them to be sure. Read 9:19. If
Jesus was a postmodernist, he would have said: “Whatever
they/you believe is cool.” But he is asking because their
belief about him needs to conform to who he really is in order to
benefit from him.
That’s why
he moves from general to specific, putting them on the spot (read
9:20a): “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s
answer is correct (9:20b). “Christ” was not Jesus’
last name, but his title: God’s anointed One; the Messiah.
This statement cannot be interpreted in a relativistic, "New
Age" way (one of many manifestations of God). Nor can it be
interpreted to mean that Jesus was only a great prophet (9:19). It
means that Jesus is God’s Chosen One--the unique and sole Ruler
of all humanity who fulfills the predictions of the Old Testament
prophets.
This is the
decision to agree with Jesus that he is your Messiah-Savior.
This is the way Jesus dealt with his disciples, this is the way he
dealt with me--and this is the way he will deal with you. In a
personal way, over a period of time, and through a variety of means,
he will attract you, get you thinking about him, expose your
spiritual need, provide you with evidence, etc. (THROUGH OTHER
PEOPLE; EXPOSURE TO BIBLE; SUFFERING). This is a process
which he does not rush--but it leads to a point. He will
ultimately call for a decision (like a response to a PROPOSAL)
because he wants a love relationship with you--and a love
relationship requires a positive response by both parties.
Becoming a
Christian requires the crisis of decision. This is the most
important decision you will ever make because your standing with God
and your eternal destiny literally depend upon your answer. There is
a point in time before which you are separated from God, guilty
before him, and headed for judgment. And there is a point in time
after which you are reconciled to God, forgiven by him, and assured
of eternal life. And the point in time that separates these two
states is the point of decision--your decision to personally entrust
yourself to Jesus as your Savior-Messiah (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:9).
This is why many of us here have 2 BIRTHDAYS . . .
Have
you made the decision to personally entrust yourself to Jesus? If
not, what stands in the way? Is it the need for more information or
evidence? Then by all means get it--Jesus wants you to make an
informed, intelligent decision. Do you know how? Or do
you have enough evidence and know how--but you’re afraid? I
certainly understand this--but please don’t put it off!
Read 9:21. No
sooner do they give the correct answer than Jesus tells them to not
tell a soul! Why is this--especially since a few weeks later told
them to go tell everyone? The reason for this is their faulty
understanding of what it meant for Jesus to be the Messiah.
The “grid”
through which first-century Jews understood the word “Messiah”
was that of a victorious, conquering king who vanquished Israel's
enemies and established God’s kingdom over all the earth. This
was the clear picture described by the Old Testament prophets (read Dan. 7:13,14).
Their view was
correct, but incomplete. He will ultimately come as a ruling,
reigning King in what we call his “second Coming.” But
the Old Testament prophets also predicted that he must come to suffer
and die (“Anonymous Servant >> read 9:22). Why? Because this is necessary to resolve the root
problem of humanity. Before we are eligible to enter and enjoy God’s
kingdom, we need internal cleansing and forgiveness that we cannot
provide for ourselves. Jesus provided that for us through his
substitutionary death. Had he fulfilled their expectations, no one
would have been qualified to enter the kingdom he began!!
The disciples
didn’t grasp this--partly because the “ruling King”
prophecies were clearer, but partly because they were also
preferable. It is clear from subsequent conversations about
this that the disciples wanted to use Jesus’ Messiahship to
avoid suffering and to exalt themselves (see Mark 10:35ff.;
Matt. 16:22,23). If you get indignant about this, you really
don’t know yourself very well! This is what we all want to do
with Jesus, even after we confess him as the Messiah. Praise God, he
is so gracious that he accepts us even with this faulty faith. But
he also addresses it, and this is why Jesus faces them (and us) with
another crucial decision . . .
Decision #2
Read 9:23. On one
level, this statement is directed primarily to Jesus’
disciples. But on another level, Jesus is speaking beyond his
immediate disciples to the others who were listening (“He was
saying to them all”)--and in principle all who confess
him as Messiah.
What does it mean
for us to “deny ourselves and take up our crosses?” This
has been grossly misinterpreted, so let’s contrast what it
doesn’t mean to what it does mean.
To “deny
yourself” has nothing to do with rejecting your individual
identity, as with monistic spirituality. God made us
as individual selves, and Jesus will speak in the next verse of how
important it is to preserve our individual soul identities. Neither
does it have anything to do with denying yourself all personal
desires, as with asceticism. God
approves of legitimate pleasure (Matt. 11:19), and he delights
in giving us the desires of our hearts when they conform to his will
for our lives (Ps. 37:4).
Rather, it means
to deny self-rule, and to voluntarily follow Jesus and let him take
the leadership of your life. Jesus said that he didn’t come to
do his own will, but to do the will of the Father who sent him. He
wasn’t going down to Jerusalem to pursue a dream he’d
always had; he was going down to Jerusalem because the Father said
that he had to go to the Cross to save humanity. He wasn’t
following his feelings--he was following God’s will (“not
what I desire, but your will be done”).
In the same way,
to follow Jesus simply means what it says--you are following
Jesus. You lay down the right to do your own will, or to tell Jesus
to follow you--and instead voluntarily agree to do what he asks you
to do (even against your feelings). This is a fundamental handing
over of the control of your life to him who has proved his love and
wisdom to you--and then a day-by-day, situation-by-situation
reaffirmation of this decision.
To “take up
your cross” does not mean that you look for ways to suffer, as
in masochism. The Bible never tells us to seek
out suffering. Nor does it mean that you spiritualize every
suffering that comes your way (e.g., sickness; consequences of your
sins) as sufferings laid on you by God.
Rather, it means
understanding that following Jesus will involve experiencing
suffering at the hands of those who are opposed to Jesus--and to
still decide to follow him into and through that suffering. Before
the disciples decided to follow Jesus down to Jerusalem, they needed
to understand that they weren’t going to his coronation--but to
his crucifixion. Jesus understood this--and he still decided to go
because it was the only way to save the lost people that he loved.
And if his disciples wanted to go to Jerusalem with him, they needed
to realize that they wouldn’t be welcomed as heroes; they could
get crucified with him.
In the same way,
if you decide to follow Jesus, you need to realize that this decision
will result in hostility from people in your life. This should never
be because you are being self-righteous or obnoxious; we should be
loving and humble. But it will come anyway, because your commitment
to Jesus exposes and convicts others of their hostility toward Jesus.
It may cause painful conflict in your family because you won’t
play your role in the family dysfunction any more. (Notice how Jesus
uses this same expression in Matt. 10:34-38). It may cost you
friends who mock you because you won’t get wasted with them any
more (1 Pet. 4:4). It may cost you advancement in your
career because you refuse to cut ethical corners or make your job
your #1 priority. In many countries, it may get you imprisoned or
killed because you won’t agree to stop sharing the love of
Jesus with people (Acts 4,5).
SUMMARY: So this
is the decision to follow Jesus wherever he leads you--in spite of
the cost. For most of us, this second decision comes into focus
some time after we have made the first decision. After receiving
Jesus for primarily selfish reasons, you experience his love and
trustworthiness and goodness. You get a taste of the joy of serving
him. Then, at a time of his choosing, he confronts you with the
challenge to sell out to him--to give your whole life to him (BODY;
TIME; PLANS; RELATIONSHIPS; GOALS; DREAMS; MONEY & POSSESSIONS).
After you make this decision, you will need to affirm it over and
over again (“daily”) as further implications reveal
themselves.
Is this decision
costly? Yes! Anything precious is costly. Is it worth it?
Yes--and the benefits far outweigh the costs! That’s exactly
what Jesus goes on to point out (read 9:24). This paradoxical
statement is easy to understand if you remember that it is simply
elaborating on the previous verse.
To “save
your life” is synonymous with not denying yourself or taking up
your cross to follow Jesus. While you’re counting the cost of
following Jesus, be sure to also count the cost of not following him!
Our culture may tell us that the path to happiness is avoiding
suffering at all costs and getting whatever we desire--but Jesus says
(and experience confirms) that this is the prescription for real
misery. What does it matter if you get every material thing you want
from this life--but you miss out on intimacy with Jesus and the
fulfillment of his purpose for your life (9:25)? What does it matter
you avoid conflict and gain approval with your human audience--but
you failed in the real mission of your life?
To “lose
your life for my sake” is synonymous with denying yourself and
taking up your cross to follow Jesus. Your fallen heart and many
people in your life may tell you that following Jesus is a foolish
choice that you’re bound to regret--but Jesus says that this is
the one choice that will guarantee true and lasting fulfillment in
your life. What have some of you experienced? AREAS:
God’s peace
and hope in the midst of any circumstance
Experiencing
Jesus’ guidance, provision, and empowering to impact others
The joy of close
fellowship with other followers of Jesus
Gradual
transformation of your character & relational success
Deepening
satisfaction of a truly meaningful and significant life
Anticipation of
eternal life in God’s Kingdom & hearing Jesus say: “Well
done, good and faithful servant”
Have you ever made the decision to give your whole
life to Jesus? This is the only thing that will ever satisfy you.
If you have never given your life to Christ, why not do so today?
Copyright 2004 Gary DeLashmutt