Follow your Teacher

In an effort to evangelize the world, we are often guilty of presenting a watered-down version of the Christian gospel; a gospel in which God is no more than a divine fairy godmother and Jesus no more than just a nice guy.

 

Modern "Christianity…tends to be easy, upbeat, convenient, and compatible. It does not require self-sacrifice, discipline, (or) humility…(nor does it require) a fear as well as love of God. There is little guilt and no punishment, and the payoff in heaven is virtually certain. What we now have might best be labeled 'Consumer Christianity.' The cost is low and customer satisfaction seems guaranteed." [1]

But that's not the idea we get from Jesus. In our text, Jesus points us to a cross, not to a spiritual check-out counter. He said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This is the call to discipleship – a call to spend our lives as apprentices to our Master, Jesus Christ. We are in a growing learning relationship, always. A disciple is a learner, but not in the academic setting of a schoolroom, rather at the work site of a craftsman. We do not acquire information about God, but skills in faith.[2]

 

From our text, we are able to identify three conditions of discipleship. The first is to deny one’s self; the next is to take up one's cross, and the third is to follow Jesus.

 

But what does Jesus really mean when he speaks of denying one’s self? Is he referring to something like our normal Lenten observance of “giving up something” such as TV, or candy bars? While this practice can certainly yield spiritual benefits, it is important to note, however, that denying yourself of things and denying yourself aren't quite the same thing. By self denial, Jesus does not mean to deny yourself of things per se, but to stop making self the object of your life and actions; to make a fundamental reorientation of your life in which God, not self, becomes the center of life.[3] To deny one’s self, then, is to lose sight of one’s self and one’s own interest in self to a selfless serving of God. In other words, self-denial does not mean to go without one or more things, but to give full control of your life to Christ; ^[4] to say no to your own natural love of ease and comfort; to say no to every course of action based on self-seeking and self-will; to say no to the instincts and desires which prompt you to touch and taste the forbidden things, but to say yes to the voice and command of Jesus Christ! and denying aren't quite the same thing. By self denial, Jesus does not mean to deny yourself of things , but to stop making self the object of your life and actions; to make a fundamental reorientation of your life in which God, not self, becomes the center of life. To deny one’s self, then, is to lose sight of one’s self and one’s own interest in self to a selfless serving of God. In other words, self-denial does not mean to go without one or more things, but to give full control of your life to Christ; to say no to your own natural love of ease and comfort; to say no to every course of action based on self-seeking and self-will; to say no to the instincts and desires which prompt you to touch and taste the forbidden things, but to say yes to the voice and command of Jesus Christ!

 

The second condition of discipleship that Jesus mentions is the need to take up one’s cross. The picture of a condemned criminal carrying the cross bar to the place of execution forms a shocking requirement for discipleship. The Romans, to whom Mark’s gospel was originally written, knew what shouldering the cross meant. You see, death on a cross was a form of execution used by Rome for dangerous criminals. A prisoner carried his own cross to the place of execution, signifying his complete submission to the power of Rome.

 

Thus, the image of carrying a cross is a graphic picture of one who is dead to his own will. He is ready to accept whatever costs are involved in a life of complete Christian commitment.^[5] Jesus used this image to illustrate the ultimate submission required of his followers. He is not against pleasure, nor was he saying that we should seek pain needlessly. Jesus was talking about the heroic effort needed to follow him moment by moment, to do his will even when the work is difficult and the future looks bleak.

 

But not only that, for in Jesus’ day, when one would take up his crossit would be primarily a public act, not a private decision.^[6] And so, the image of bearing one’s cross also carries the understanding that our Christian faith, while personal, is never private! This is borne out even more clearly in Jesus words in v 38 of our text: “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.”

 

No one can expect to refuse service in some campaign and then share in the decorations when it is brought to a successful conclusion. Jesus is saying, “In a difficult and hostile world Christianity is up against it theses days. If someone is ashamed under such conditions to show that he/she is a Christian, if he/she is afraid to show which side he/she is on, that person cannot expect to gain a place of honour when the Kingdom comes.”

 

The final condition, following Christ, is where the “rubber hits the road.” “In the first century, a Jewish man who wanted to become a disciple of a…(teacher) was expected to leave family and job to join his [teacher]. They would live together 24 hours a day—walking from place to place, teaching and learning, studying and working. They discussed and memorized the Scriptures and applied them to life.

 

“The disciple's calling, as described in early Jewish writings…was to ‘cover himself in the dust of [the teacher’s] feet,’ drinking in his every word. He followed his [teacher] so closely that he would "walk in his dust." In doing so, he became like the [teacher], his master.[7]

 

Are you willing to “cover yourself in the dust of Jesus’ feet” as he calls you into the community-at-large? What would that mean? It would mean as Jesus carried out his ministry in the world, so are we called into the world. He washed dusty and dirty feet. He fed the hungry and healed broken limbs. He opened sightless eyes, cleansed leprous skin, and cared for the homeless and forsaken. Are we willing to “cover yourself in the dust of Jesus’ feet” into the work place? What would that mean? No more oppressive relations between employers and employees. No unjust labor practices. No sexual harassment. No gender discrimination.

 

Are you willing to “cover yourself in the dust of Jesus’ feet” in the midst of your home? What would that mean? It would mean significant changes. More equality between husbands and wives. More shared responsibilities. Openness and honesty. It would be risky because it would bring an end to "life as usual." It would bring new direction, a new sense of purpose, along with understanding and hope.[8]

 

Are you prepared to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus?

 

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