Disciples of Jesus are called to leave everything behind, if need be, and dedicate their entire lives to his mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom throughout the Earth. Though the story as recorded in the synoptic gospels is brief, we already begin to glimpse the true cost of discipleship. Jesus began to build his new covenant community in “Galilee of the Nations” by inviting four fishermen to leave their livelihoods and follow him “on the way” which would lead inevitably to his death in Jerusalem.
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“I Never Knew You!”
“I never knew you! Depart from me!” These are the most frightening words anyone could ever hear on the lips of Jesus, yet they are central to the conclusion of his ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ His discourse was never a program for reforming or governing civil society. Instead, it instructs his disciples on how they must live in the present evil age as faithful citizens and representatives of his Kingdom and message. There is no bypassing the Cross if you wish to enter his domain.
Continue readingPerfecting Righteousness
Jesus exhorted his disciples to become “perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” yet how can anyone emulate the perfect righteousness of God? His explanation was clear – By performing acts of mercy, ESPECIALLY to one’s enemies. Self-sacrificial love goes to the heart of his message and reflects the true nature of the merciful God he obeyed and served. Was he not the Messiah who submitted to an undeserved death for others even when they were the “enemies of God”?
Continue readingHis Unique Kingdom
When Jesus first appeared in Galilee, he proclaimed the “Kingdom of God” – “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand.” In his ministry, God’s reign had begun to invade the Earth. But his realm was and remains of an entirely different nature than the political systems of the present fallen age. Moreover, on more than one occasion, Jesus refused THAT kind of political power, especially when it was offered by Satan who tempted him with sovereignty over “all the kingdoms of the world.”
Continue readingUnexpected, Rejected, Crucified
The Son of Man is revealed and comprehended in his sufferings and self-sacrificial death for others, including his enemies.
This theme is found several times in the Gospel of Mark, namely, the inability of men to recognize Jesus as the Son of God until AFTER his crucifixion and resurrection, and most paradoxically, the first man to identify him as the “Son of God” was the Roman centurion on duty at his execution. His self-identification as the suffering “Son of Man” made him unrecognizable and distasteful to unregenerate men. He was the kind of Messiah no one expected or wanted.
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