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"Jesus’ words when no one wore a cross necklace"
Friday, 8 September 2017
Matthew 16:24 Then Yeshua told his talmidim, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. 25 For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake will find it. 26 What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or, what can a person give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come in his Father’s glory, with his angels; and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. 28 Yes! I tell you that there are some people standing here who will not experience death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom!”
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Peter’s rebuke didn’t lead Jesus to back away from his seemingly downbeat talk about suffering and death in Jerusalem. Far from it. Jesus “doubled down,” saying that he calls ALL his followers to “take their cross.” Don’t forget: when Jesus said this, no one sold “cross” jewelry. A cross was a horrific implement of torture and death, a thing “respectable” people avoided at all costs. Pastor John Ortberg quoted columnist Garret Fiddler as writing, “Really, the cross does not belong on the Christian; the Christian belongs on the cross.” Ortberg added, “The cross is a reminder that there is something in me that needs to die.” *
• Jesus asked what the point would be of gaining earthly wealth or prestige in a way that cost eternity. “Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives?” Today, virtually no one anywhere dies on a cross. So what do you believe it means for you to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus? What is there in you that “needs to die”? In your journey with Christ so far, have you had to decide whether to “take up your cross” in any life-shaping way? In what ways are you asking God to help you more clearly understand and commit to finding your true life by losing it? In what ways has Jesus already showed you your true self as you follow him?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, so many voices tell me that avoiding pain and sacrifice is the way to a good life. Give me a clear vision of your counter-cultural call. Let my lesser self die, so that a greater self shaped by you may be born. Amen.
* Garret Fiddler, Yale Daily News, April 21, 2011 quoted in John Ortberg, Who Is This Man? Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012, p. 192
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Darren Lippe
Darren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group and a men’s group, and serves on the curriculum team.
Today’s passage brings up a challenge we Christians face: exactly how are we to view the cross? Interestingly, scholars are of the mind that the disciples understood exactly what Jesus meant when He said they would need to take up their cross to follow Him. On one hand I find this amazing, since the disciples were rather slow to fully grasp most of Jesus’ teachings that this would be one of the concepts they readily understood. On the other hand, I also find this frustrating since 2,000 years later I still struggle with the meaning of the cross.
Perhaps we should come to the realization that the cross might have different meanings for different people at different times of their lives. Like one friend from a Bible study years ago who wore a cross necklace to provide comfort during a troubling time. Every time she touched the cross it reminded her that Jesus loved her & that He would never forsake her.
Or like the colleague who carries a small cross in his suit jacket as a reminder to pray throughout the day. Each time he feels the cross in his pocket he stops & says a breath prayer to encourage him to be the light of Christ to others.
Or maybe like the young man with a small tattoo of a cross on his ankle who wanted a visible symbol of his faith to hold himself to a higher standard to all those he encounters. (Quite impressive, since I’m hesitant to even put a temporary COR sticker on my car lest my driving skills offend someone.)
I would submit that the cross is such a challenge to understand because the cross can simultaneously be perceived as repulsive & radiant, as lethal & life giving, as humiliating & hopeful, as perilous & peaceful, & as lowly & lovely.
Regardless of where we are in our faith journey, whether the cross represents relief or grief for us this day, may we all ready ourselves to respond to Jesus’ challenge:
Darren LippeDarren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group and a men’s group, and serves on the curriculum team.
Today’s passage brings up a challenge we Christians face: exactly how are we to view the cross? Interestingly, scholars are of the mind that the disciples understood exactly what Jesus meant when He said they would need to take up their cross to follow Him. On one hand I find this amazing, since the disciples were rather slow to fully grasp most of Jesus’ teachings that this would be one of the concepts they readily understood. On the other hand, I also find this frustrating since 2,000 years later I still struggle with the meaning of the cross.
A brief survey of the hymnal presents all sorts of adjectives to describe the cross: It is wondrous, it is sacred, it is dear, it is glorious, it is radiant, it is shadowy, it is sorrowful, it is redeeming. Now, we recognize that a hymn isn’t meant to be a theological thesis, but they do help us understand the spectrum of Christian perceptions of the cross.
I always like the old story of the preacher asking the kids during the children’s sermon time what their favorite hymn was. One little girl, blushing, whispered in his ear, “Jeremy.”
Or the story of the in-high-demand AC repairman coming into the hot, sticky church in the midst of the choir rehearsing “How Great Thou Art.” Visibly moved, the repairman said, “Thank you so much. That was beautiful. But, I actually go by Arthur.”
The composer of the classic hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” faced a similar challenge as we do today. Rev. George Bennard, born shortly after the Civil War, came to faith via the Salvation Army & later became a Methodist minister. In 1912, he was praying for a fuller understanding of the cross & its plan for Christianity. After countless hours in prayer, study, & meditation, one day he saw “the cross became more than a symbol…it was like seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form & act out the meaning of redemption.”1 Over several months his impressions eventually became the verses for the hymn.Perhaps we should come to the realization that the cross might have different meanings for different people at different times of their lives. Like one friend from a Bible study years ago who wore a cross necklace to provide comfort during a troubling time. Every time she touched the cross it reminded her that Jesus loved her & that He would never forsake her.
Or like the colleague who carries a small cross in his suit jacket as a reminder to pray throughout the day. Each time he feels the cross in his pocket he stops & says a breath prayer to encourage him to be the light of Christ to others.
Or maybe like the young man with a small tattoo of a cross on his ankle who wanted a visible symbol of his faith to hold himself to a higher standard to all those he encounters. (Quite impressive, since I’m hesitant to even put a temporary COR sticker on my car lest my driving skills offend someone.)
I would submit that the cross is such a challenge to understand because the cross can simultaneously be perceived as repulsive & radiant, as lethal & life giving, as humiliating & hopeful, as perilous & peaceful, & as lowly & lovely.
Regardless of where we are in our faith journey, whether the cross represents relief or grief for us this day, may we all ready ourselves to respond to Jesus’ challenge:
To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true,
It’s shame & reproach I’ll gladly bear.
Then He’ll call me someday, to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
1Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003) 274.
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"Peter ('Rock')—a genuine servant-leader"
Saturday, 9 September 2017
Acts 2:12-16, 15:7-8, 13-14, Galatians 2:7-12
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We’ll return to Peter’s later life in more detail in this series’ last sermon. But this peek ahead shows us the kind of leader Peter became. He let Jesus shape his bold, outspoken nature into a compelling preacher, bravely declaring the power of the crucified and risen Jesus. He forcefully spoke out on behalf of the legitimacy of Gentile believers, whom he had seen receive God’s Holy Spirit without conforming to all Jewish regulations. But he also accepted James (Jesus’ brother) presiding over the Jerusalem conference. He welcomed Paul to the ranks of apostles, and agreed to focus his mission in a way that didn’t conflict with Paul’s. We hear and read a lot about “servant leaders.” We see Peter living out that kind of leadership.
• Would Peter have been a stronger, more worthy leader if he had required James to step aside and allow him to preside over the Jerusalem conference? If he had told Paul, “You weren’t there when Jesus said I was the rock on which he’d build his church. I will preach wherever and to whomever I please. You will just have to adjust your work to that”? In whatever leadership areas you have, from the largest business or church settings to the smallest, homeiest ones, how can you emulate Peter’s confident and humble model of leadership? Which aspects of Peter’s example are hardest for you to live out?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I need rebuke, make me as willing as Peter was to accept it. But when I need to stand firmly for you, give me his courage and boldness. Amen.
Family Activity: Invite each family member to share the name and special qualities of their favorite teacher. Remind everyone that Jesus was a teacher who spent much of his time helping others learn about God and God’s kingdom. As a family, talk about ways you are teachers of God and God’s ways. How do you teach with words, telling others about God and his love? How do you teach with your actions as you serve other people? Maybe you teach others about God by being kind, patient, generous, or a good listener. Commit to intentionally teaching someone about God’s love this week. Share your stories and experiences with your family. Write a note to your favorite teacher thanking her/him for being so important to you. Pray for one another and for all teachers to share patience, kindness and love with everyone.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
•Dick Walker and family on the death of his daughter-in-law Stacy Walker, 8/30
•Tom McCabe and family on the death of his mother Margaret McCabe, 8/29
•Colleen Aegerter and family on the death of her sister Cindi Hutchinson, 8/26
• Linda Reppell and family on the death of her brother-in-law Loren Martin, 8/19
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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