Topics – Discipleship, Non-Violence, Politics, Faithfulness
What is the real evidence of a disciple of Jesus? Too often today we are told that followers of Christ are marked by success, happiness and power. However, the Bible points to a different evidence, that of love that comes under others and serves.
Focus Scripture – Luke 23:26-27, 32-39HIDESHOW
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." [a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One."
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." [a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One."
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
Extended SummaryHIDESHOW
What does it mean to be a true follower of Christ? What is the proof that one is a disciple? Greg explains that the real proof may not be what most people expect.
In this passage, Jesus is challenged three times to save himself. People in Jesus' time assumed that the true messiah would use his power to save himself. This is very similar to how the devil tempted Jesus to prove he was the Son of God by using his power in Luke 4. There Jesus was challenged to satisfy his hunger after fasting for 40 days, to save the world by bowing down and worshipping Satan, and to prove that he was the Son of God by putting himself in danger so angels would protect him. The demonic pattern assumes that the proof of God is found in the use of power to get what you want, protect yourself and perform beneficial works for the crowds.
By contrast, Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross for Jesus, walking behind Jesus. He exemplified the nature of discipleship and shows that as a disciple of the true messiah, you carry a cross behind him. The Satan-inspired pattern assumes the proof of the Kingdom is found in winning, by protecting ourselves and getting what we want. The Simon pattern assumes the proof of the Kingdom is that we’re willing to sacrifice ourselves in service to others.
The Satan-inspired pattern assumes we prove we belong to God by gaining "power over" others to get our way. The Simon pattern assumes we prove we belong to God by exercising "power under" others. This is the power that changes hearts by sacrificially serving people, the power of the cross.
Understanding the Satan-inspired pattern helps explain why history is a river of bloodshed. We can’t all get our way, so when our way or the way of our tribe conflicts with others and their tribe, a fight ensues and that supposedly will prove whose god is the true (or at least stronger) God.
This Satan-inspired, violent way of thinking is still around, even in the church! All over we find the temptation that the proof that we are on God’s side is that things go our way. We are on the side winning wars and conquering people. We are the ones getting rich. Rather, the real proof that we are on the side of the true God is that we carry our cross like Simon and follow Jesus. We crucify ourselves daily and do NOT insist that we get our own way. We are putting God’s interests and the interests of others ahead of ourselves.
In this passage, Jesus is challenged three times to save himself. People in Jesus' time assumed that the true messiah would use his power to save himself. This is very similar to how the devil tempted Jesus to prove he was the Son of God by using his power in Luke 4. There Jesus was challenged to satisfy his hunger after fasting for 40 days, to save the world by bowing down and worshipping Satan, and to prove that he was the Son of God by putting himself in danger so angels would protect him. The demonic pattern assumes that the proof of God is found in the use of power to get what you want, protect yourself and perform beneficial works for the crowds.
By contrast, Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross for Jesus, walking behind Jesus. He exemplified the nature of discipleship and shows that as a disciple of the true messiah, you carry a cross behind him. The Satan-inspired pattern assumes the proof of the Kingdom is found in winning, by protecting ourselves and getting what we want. The Simon pattern assumes the proof of the Kingdom is that we’re willing to sacrifice ourselves in service to others.
The Satan-inspired pattern assumes we prove we belong to God by gaining "power over" others to get our way. The Simon pattern assumes we prove we belong to God by exercising "power under" others. This is the power that changes hearts by sacrificially serving people, the power of the cross.
Understanding the Satan-inspired pattern helps explain why history is a river of bloodshed. We can’t all get our way, so when our way or the way of our tribe conflicts with others and their tribe, a fight ensues and that supposedly will prove whose god is the true (or at least stronger) God.
This Satan-inspired, violent way of thinking is still around, even in the church! All over we find the temptation that the proof that we are on God’s side is that things go our way. We are on the side winning wars and conquering people. We are the ones getting rich. Rather, the real proof that we are on the side of the true God is that we carry our cross like Simon and follow Jesus. We crucify ourselves daily and do NOT insist that we get our own way. We are putting God’s interests and the interests of others ahead of ourselves.
Practical Applications (homework)HIDESHOW
For most of the world, the proof that God is “on our side” is that we get what we want. This can take the form of power, wealth, success or blessings. But in God’s Kingdom, the proof that we’re on his side is that we carry a cross behind Jesus and sacrificially serve him and others. Instead of exerting power over others, we’re called to serve, help and sacrifice by offering power under those around us.
For your homework this week, get together with someone you’re close to (could be a friend, spouse, relative or small group) and discuss how you sometimes try to use power over others in the following contexts:
For your homework this week, get together with someone you’re close to (could be a friend, spouse, relative or small group) and discuss how you sometimes try to use power over others in the following contexts:
- How do you insist on getting your own way in decisionmaking? What things are hard for you to give up on at work, in your marriage, in your family or in your friendships? How could you put your own opinions and preferences aside and sacrifice more regularly for others?
- Do you ever try to control others using physical force or violence? What situations lead you down this path? Does it have to do with a short temper? Why do you think you sometimes behave this way? How could you practice ways to keep yourself from this form of power-over?
- The words we use can also be controlling. Who do you try to control with words? How often? When does it happen? Can you figure out why you do this? How could you practice ways to keep yourself from this form of power-over? In prayer and in your imagination, spend some time relaxing with God. Bask in his love and acceptance for you. Feel the release from the burden of your unforgiveness and trust God to take care of it.
- Do you put too much stake in your own opinions about political issues? Do you strive to have your candidate’s or your party’s will enforced, instead of practically and tangibly serving people? For the issues you care about, is it more important for you to have laws passed, or to serve and sacrifice for the people affected by the issues? Talk together and identify one or two areas that you want to try to display more power under. Pray about these things together and commit to holding each other accountable to changing your behaviors!
Reflection QuestionsHIDESHOW
- What stood out to you most from this message and the supporting texts?
- Before hearing this sermon, how would you describe the evidence that someone is a true follower of Jesus? Have you been exposed to teaching that identifies the evidence of a disciple according to the demonic pattern of getting one’s way, as Greg described? How can this “getting one’s way” be so easily assumed as a mark of a disciple?
- In your own words, describe the different between power over verses power under. Can you provide an example of power under that you observed in the last week?
- In the sermon, Greg mentioned a few examples of public issues (illegal aliens, abortion, etc.) where God would challenge disciples to serve those who are often judged and cast aside? What was your first response to those issues?
- What does “carrying the cross” look like today? What does it look like in your life? What are some ways that you can choose to carry the cross and serve others this week?