In the gospel of Mark, Israel’s Messiah, the Son of Man, is revealed in his death on a Roman Cross.
In Mark, men and women are unable to recognize Jesus as the Messiah until AFTER his crucifixion, and paradoxically, following his death, he is declared the “Son of God” by the unlikeliest person, the Roman centurion on duty at his execution. And in this gospel account, his self-identification as the suffering “Son of Man” caused many to misunderstand and even reject him.
Continue readingOVERVIEW – Jesus was the promised Messiah, but he fulfilled that role as the Suffering Servant on his way to die in Jerusalem. His disciple must likewise take up his cross and follow him – Mark 8:27-38.
On the “way to Jerusalem,” Jesus entered Caesarea Philippi and questioned his disciples about his identity – “Who do men say that I am?” Momentarily, Peter began to perceive and confess who and what he was – “You are the Messiah!”
Continue readingThe reality of persecution raises important questions. How should disciples react to hostility and opposition, especially when they are persecuted by the government? Should they resort to indignation, civil disobedience, and public protests, or ought disciples of Jesus emulate his example?
The human desire to live without conflict is understandable. Nevertheless, Jesus warns that all men who choose to follow him will have “tribulation.” And he summons his disciples to follow the same path he did. The “servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, so they will persecute you” – (John 15:20, 16:33).
Continue readingTo follow Jesus “wherever he goes” means a life of self-denial and of self-sacrificial service to others.
When he dispatched his disciples to announce the “good news,” Jesus warned that they would find themselves as “sheep among wolves.” Hostile men would haul them before “councils and whip them in their synagogues.” Even “brother would deliver up brother to death,” and his disciples would be “hated by all men for his sake, but only he that endured to the end” would be saved.
Continue readingThe “Dragon” and his servants wage war against the saints, and not against nation-states or certain ethnic groups.
Revelation portrays the cosmic war being waged between Satan and Jesus, one that plays out in the daily struggles of the church. The earthly vassals of the “Dragon” execute his attacks on the Church, especially the “beast from the sea,” the “false prophet,” and “Babylon.” The “war” is waged through deception, deceivers within the church, and persecution from without.
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