Tag: man-mission-movement

In the 2011 Australian Census 61.1% of our population indicated they are Christian. But as I look around the Northern Beaches, that number seems a lot higher than I observe. It raises the question, “what does it really mean to be part of the Christian MOVEMENT?” Is it as simple as ticking the “Christian box” every 5 years on the census?

Part 1 asked the question, “Who is this man?” The answer? The King that God promised – Messiah. Part 2 asked the question, “What was his mission?” The answer? Jesus is the Messiah who came to suffer & die on the cross, in our place, to deal with our sin. Messiah then rises again. So what does it mean to be part of this Messiah’s MOVEMENT?

Jesus says members of his movement (Christians) need to make 3 massive commitments.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark chapter 8 verse 34)

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In part 1, we asked of Jesus the question, “Who is this man?” The answer? The Messiah. Basically this means Jesus is a big deal. The biggest! He is THE King that God promised would come. But what does it mean for Jesus to be ‘The Messiah’? What’s his MISSION?

In Mark’s biographical account of the life of Jesus, we see that after Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus then gets straight to the heart of his mission.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. (Mark chapter 8 verse 31)

‘Son of Man’ is Jesus’ way of referring to himself. Why did he come? To suffer, be killed and then rise again! Have a look at how Peter responds:
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If you read the first half of Mark’s biography about Jesus, you’ll notice that Jesus does some remarkable things. Healing sickness. Wise teaching. Astonishing miracles. Walking on water. Those who witnessed these events continually asked the question “WHO IS THIS MAN?” It’s a good question to consider. Who is Jesus?

Chapter 8 is the turning point of Mark’s biography. In the midst of lots of people trying to work out his identity, Jesus asks his followers what conclusions people have come up with.

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” (Mark chapter 8 verses 27-28)

John the Baptist, Elijah and one of the Prophets are important answers because each of these people are significant religious figures in the Bible. At least by this point in the story people are concluding that Jesus is significant. Jesus then pushes the question further by redirecting it to his close friends.
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