Recognizing Jesus: Beyond Convenience to True Discipleship
Summary
Today, as we gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, I reflected on the profound moments leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. I shared from Matthew 21:1-11, where Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, a symbol of peace. This act was a declaration of His kingship, yet it was a kingship that would challenge the expectations of many.
In my message titled "Mistaken Identity," I explored the crowd's reaction to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Initially, they welcomed Him with shouts of "Hosanna," laying down their cloaks and branches in a gesture of submission and honor. However, this adoration was short-lived. As the week progressed, Jesus' actions and teachings did not align with the political and social deliverance the people anticipated. Their disappointment turned to anger, leading to the cries of "Crucify him!" just days later.
I emphasized the danger of viewing Jesus through our own lenses of convenience, politics, prosperity, or as a mere problem-solver. These distorted views can lead us to misunderstand His true identity and purpose. Instead, I urged us to see Jesus as our Savior, the one who rescues us from sin and death, not merely as a figure who aligns with our personal agendas or cultural trends.
I also addressed the misconception that proximity to Jesus or the church guarantees understanding or salvation. Even the disciples, who were closest to Jesus, struggled to grasp His mission until after His resurrection. This serves as a reminder that each person must come to their own understanding and relationship with Jesus, beyond mere familiarity or tradition.
In closing, I called us to a genuine surrender to Jesus' lordship, recognizing Him as our Savior and allowing that truth to transform our lives. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us, and the importance of not taking our salvation for granted, but living in a way that reflects our gratitude and understanding of who Jesus truly is.
Key Takeaways:
- Viewing Jesus through the lens of convenience can lead to a superficial faith that only seeks personal benefit. True discipleship involves embracing the inconveniences of following Christ, including the call to deny oneself and take up the cross daily. This path, while challenging, leads to genuine transformation and freedom. [16:48]
- The "break in case of fire" approach to Jesus reduces Him to an emergency solution rather than Lord of our lives. We must move beyond seeing Jesus as a last resort during crises and cultivate a consistent, daily walk with Him, recognizing His lordship in every aspect of our lives. [18:03]
- Political lenses can distort our view of Jesus, aligning Him with human agendas rather than His kingdom. As Christians, our allegiance is to Christ above any political ideology, and our actions should reflect His teachings and love, not the divisive rhetoric of the age. [19:54]
- The "bless me" mentality treats Jesus as a genie rather than the King of kings. We are called to a relationship with Jesus that is not transactional but transformational, where our desires align with His will and our lives bear fruit that glorifies God. [21:29]
- Proximity to Jesus or religious settings does not guarantee a true understanding of His identity. Each individual must encounter Jesus personally and choose to follow Him, not based on tradition or association, but on a personal revelation of Him as Savior and Lord. [28:12]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 21:1-11
- Zechariah 9:9
- John 12:16
#### Observation Questions
1. What prophecy does Jesus fulfill by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, and what is the significance of this act? (Matthew 21:1-11)
2. How did the crowd initially react to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and what did their shouts of "Hosanna" signify? (Matthew 21:8-9)
3. What actions and teachings of Jesus during the week led to the crowd's shift from shouting "Hosanna" to "Crucify him"? [12:03]
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the distorted lenses through which people view Jesus? [15:36]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a horse, and how does this contrast with the crowd's expectations of a political savior? (Zechariah 9:9)
2. How does the crowd's change in attitude from "Hosanna" to "Crucify him" reflect the danger of viewing Jesus through the lens of personal convenience or political expectations? [12:03]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of personal revelation and relationship with Jesus, even for those who are in close proximity to Him or the church? [28:12]
4. How does the concept of mistaken identity apply to the way people perceive Jesus, and what are the consequences of these misconceptions? [11:00]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Have you ever viewed Jesus through the lens of convenience, only seeking Him when it benefits you? How can you shift towards a more genuine discipleship that embraces the challenges of following Christ? [16:48]
2. Have you ever treated Jesus as a "break in case of fire" solution, only turning to Him in times of crisis? What steps can you take to cultivate a consistent, daily walk with Him? [18:03]
3. In what ways might political ideologies have influenced your perception of Jesus? How can you ensure that your allegiance to Christ remains above any political agenda? [19:54]
4. Do you find yourself approaching Jesus with a "bless me" mentality, expecting Him to fulfill your desires? How can you develop a more transformational relationship with Him that aligns your desires with His will? [21:29]
5. Reflect on your proximity to Jesus or religious settings: Do you feel that this guarantees your understanding or salvation? How can you seek a deeper, personal revelation of Jesus as your Savior and Lord? [28:12]
6. As we approach Easter, how can you live in a way that reflects your gratitude and understanding of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for you? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this in your daily life? [35:59]
7. Think about a time when you may have misunderstood Jesus' true identity and purpose. How did this affect your faith and actions? What can you do to correct these misconceptions and see Jesus for who He truly is? [11:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Inconvenient Discipleship
True discipleship requires embracing the challenges and inconveniences that come with following Christ. It is not a path of ease or comfort, but one that demands self-denial and a daily commitment to take up one's cross. This journey, though filled with trials, is the route to authentic transformation and freedom. It calls for a shift from seeking personal benefits to pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus, where His will becomes the guiding force in one's life. The convenience lens can lead to a superficial faith, but true discipleship fosters a resilient and enduring faith that thrives even in adversity. [16:48]
"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27 ESV)
Reflection: What is one aspect of your life where you've sought convenience over true discipleship, and how can you begin to embrace the challenges of following Christ in that area?
Day 2: Beyond Emergency Faith
The relationship with Jesus should not be relegated to moments of crisis, where He is seen as a mere emergency solution. Instead, it is essential to cultivate a consistent, daily walk with Him, acknowledging His lordship in every aspect of life. This approach moves beyond the "break in case of fire" mentality, fostering a faith that is active and engaged regardless of circumstances. Recognizing Jesus as Lord means integrating faith into the daily rhythms of life, allowing His presence and guidance to permeate every decision and action. [18:03]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a daily practice that recognizes Jesus' lordship in all areas of your life, moving beyond a crisis-driven faith?
Day 3: Allegiance to Christ Above Politics
In a world where political ideologies can easily become intertwined with faith, it is crucial to remember that allegiance to Christ supersedes any earthly political agenda. Christians are called to reflect Jesus' teachings and love, which often run counter to the divisive rhetoric of the age. Aligning Jesus with human politics distorts His true kingdom, which is not of this world. As followers of Christ, the priority is to embody His message of love and reconciliation, rather than allowing political lenses to shape the understanding of His mission. [19:54]
"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.'" (John 18:36 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed political ideologies to influence your view of Jesus, and how can you realign your focus to His teachings and kingdom?
Day 4: Transformation Over Transaction
The relationship with Jesus is not meant to be transactional, where blessings are sought in exchange for faithfulness. Instead, it is a transformational journey where desires and will align with God's purpose. Treating Jesus as a genie undermines His sovereignty as the King of kings. A transformational faith seeks to bear fruit that glorifies God, reflecting a heart changed by an intimate relationship with Jesus. This shift from a "bless me" mentality to a transformational mindset is essential for a faith that is alive and growing. [21:29]
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4 ESV)
Reflection: What are some ways you can shift from a transactional to a transformational relationship with Jesus, and what fruit do you hope to bear as a result?
Day 5: Personal Encounter with Jesus
Proximity to Jesus or religious settings does not equate to a true understanding of His identity. It is through a personal encounter with Jesus that one comes to recognize Him as Savior and Lord. This individual experience goes beyond tradition or association, calling for a personal revelation and commitment to follow Him. The journey of faith is a personal one, where each individual must make the conscious decision to embrace Jesus' lordship and allow it to transform their life. [28:12]
"And he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Christ.'" (Mark 8:29 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your personal encounter with Jesus. How has this encounter shaped your understanding of Him, and how does it continue to influence your daily walk of faith?
Quotes
1) "Jesus in the image of what's culturally relevant... we often create this image of who Jesus is when he is the one that created us in His image... we're attempting to form the image of God that fits our life... you distort the gospel, you distort the word of God, and you distort who Jesus is." [24:48]
2) "Jesus I am giving you my life... they were saying we submit to your leadership, we submit to your Authority... they were saying Jesus I am giving you my life... as long as things go the way that I want them to go." [25:50]
3) "We see Jesus Through the lens of politics... we've allowed politics to divide us instead of unite us... we look to the kingdoms of this world to save us from the kingdom of darkness... there's only one person... that can save us from the very thing and it is Jesus Christ." [20:28]
4) "We view Jesus Through the lens of prosperity... all we want is Jesus to do for us but yet we've been reluctant to do anything for Jesus... if I name it and claim it and I blab it and grab it that we will be okay... where in the world is that in scripture." [22:02]
5) "Close proximity to the things of God does not guarantee that we'll see him for who he is... just because they live in my home doesn't mean that once they leave my home that they're going to continue to do the things that they've seen me do or even continue to walk with Jesus." [29:07]
6) "It doesn't matter how close you think you are... it doesn't matter how long you've been in the church... at the end of the day we all constantly come back to who Jesus really is... and to find ourselves constantly at the foot of the cross reminding ourselves that he is our savior." [32:07]
7) "We have to be careful which lens we choose to view Jesus Through... often times we come to church we come to Jesus and we often have these lenses that we choose to look at the gospel through... because of our past, because of our upbringing, because of our church hurt, because of our experiences." [15:06]
8) "I will follow Jesus based on what Jesus can do for me... often times we look at Jesus Through the lens of convenience... he's never called us to be convenient at all... he's called us to crucify our flesh to die to ourselves and to carry our cross. That is not convenient." [16:48]
9) "The 'break in case of fire' approach to Jesus reduces Him to an emergency solution rather than Lord of our lives... Jesus restores the marriage, the finances, the children... and then Jesus restores the business and then Jesus is done restoring and so then we walk away." [18:03]
10) "They wanted Jesus crucified... because it was according to their will... when you surrender... there is no more your will... it is an absolute surrendering your life, your will, your direction, your desires, your wants to the lordship of Jesus Christ." [27:37]
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