Tag: Viva la Revolution

Jesus is the Revolutionary King who suffers and dies in the place of sinners. He did the unexpected. What does it mean to follow Jesus? Doing the unexpected. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Following Jesus is radical and unexpected.

Who would want to worship a crucified saviour??? There’s an ancient graffiti sketch of an early Christian, Alexamenos, worshipping Jesus. The picture (click above for full pic) mockingly shows Jesus as half man/half donkey hanging on a cross. The world looks on in ridicule at the death of Jesus upon a dirty piece of wood. Jesus says in Mark 8:38 not to be ashamed of Him. Though the world may laugh, the follower of Jesus is to not only trust in Christ but also boast in His ridiculed cross. Following Jesus means you follow Jesus, not the opinions of man, not the latest techno-gadget, not the selfish desires of your heart. To follow Jesus is to love Jesus and to live for Jesus.

Wanna “Live the Revolution”??? Then follow Jesus.

Jesus is the Revolutionary King who suffers and dies in the place of sinners. He did the unexpected. What does it mean to follow Jesus? Doing the unexpected. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Taking up your cross is radical and unexpected.

To take up your cross is to die. Die to self. Die to the world. Taking up your cross in this life involves losing your life here and now, but gaining life for eternity (Mark 8:35). Jesus suffered and it’s normal for his followers to suffer. When you understand the cross of Jesus and the big picture of eternity, you won’t just endure suffering but will rejoice in it!

Wanna “Live the Revolution”??? Then take up your cross.

Jesus is the Revolutionary King who suffers and dies in the place of sinners. He did the unexpected. What does it mean to follow Jesus? Doing the unexpected. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Denying yourself is radical and unexpected.

Our culture, teachers and hearts tell us to look out for ‘Numero Uno’, but Jesus says to deny yourself. Part of denying yourself will be denying the pleasures of this world and giving up the world and its desires (Mark 8:36-37). Denying yourself is putting Jesus first. Denying yourself is putting the needs of others ahead of your own. Denying yourself is loving Jesus more than yourself and loving Jesus more than the world.

Wanna “Live the Revolution”??? Then deny yourself.

Pic from here

Who is Jesus? Is he an Action Figure? Bobble Head? Ninja? When Jesus did a survey asking who people thought he was, some thought he was John the Baptist, others Elijah and others one of the Prophets. Jesus did some incredible things: He taught with authority; healed the sick; fed the hungry; calmed the storm and even brought a dead girl back to life! The question on everyone’s lips throughout Mark 1-8 was: Who is this man?

Peter’s answer: The Christ. What’s a Christ? It’s a King. Jesus is God’s chosen King. What does it mean for Jesus to be the King? Jesus says he must suffer, be rejected, killed and then rise again. Peter wasn’t expecting King Jesus to die. Jesus says he ‘must’ die. (Mark 8)

Jesus is the Revolutionary King who suffers and dies in the place of sinners. Jesus is the Servant King who lays down his life. This is radical. What does it mean to follow such a radical King? Stay tuned…