The Unlikeliest Hero: Embracing Jesus' True Mission
Summary
Starting a new series titled "The Unlikeliest Hero," we embark on a journey to understand Jesus as the Messiah, the hero of the world, who came in an unexpected manner. Unlike the heroes we often envision—powerful, commanding, and triumphant—Jesus arrived as a humble baby in an obscure town. The people of Israel, under Roman oppression, longed for a political or military savior, someone to restore their national glory. Yet, Jesus defied these expectations, coming not as a conquering king but as a suffering servant. His mission was not to lead a military revolt but to win a spiritual battle, a victory that appeared as defeat but was the only way to rescue humanity.
In Mark 8, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter correctly identifies Him as the Christ, yet Jesus warns them not to tell anyone. This secrecy seems strange, but it underscores the misunderstanding of His mission. The Messiah was expected to be a military hero, not a humble servant. Jesus redefined the mission, predicting His rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection. This was not the plan anyone anticipated, and Peter, like many of us, struggled to accept it. We often try to fit Jesus into our own expectations, wanting Him to serve our goals rather than submitting to His.
Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This call to self-denial is challenging, as it goes against our natural inclinations. Yet, Jesus exemplified this by setting aside His divine privileges to suffer and die for us. Following Him means embracing humility, sacrifice, and love, even when it costs us something. It means allowing God to shape us into His image, rather than trying to mold Him into ours. As we reflect on Jesus as the unlikeliest hero, we are challenged to examine whether we are truly following Him or merely following our own desires.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus came as a humble servant, not the conquering hero the world expected. His mission was to win a spiritual battle, not a political one, demonstrating that true victory often looks like defeat. [03:45]
- We often try to fit Jesus into our own expectations, wanting Him to serve our goals. However, Jesus calls us to submit to His mission, which may not align with our desires or understanding. [15:36]
- Denying ourselves and taking up our cross is a challenging call, but it is essential to following Jesus. This self-denial goes against our natural inclinations but is necessary for spiritual growth. [25:19]
- Jesus' kingdom advances through humility, sacrifice, and love, not power or dominance. As followers, we are called to embody these values, even when it costs us something. [25:19]
- We must examine whether we are truly following the real Jesus or merely following our own imagination. This involves surrendering our desires and allowing God to work through us for His glory. [25:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to "The Unlikeliest Hero"
- [02:15] - Expectations of a Messiah
- [04:45] - Jesus' Unexpected Arrival
- [06:30] - Peter's Confession and Misunderstanding
- [09:00] - Redefining the Mission
- [12:00] - The Challenge of Self-Denial
- [15:00] - Personal Reflections on Peter
- [18:30] - The Call to Follow Jesus
- [21:00] - Embracing Humility and Sacrifice
- [23:30] - Examining Our Own Expectations
- [25:00] - The Cost of Following Jesus
- [27:00] - Conclusion and Challenge
- [29:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Unlikeliest Hero"
Bible Reading:
- Mark 8:27-33
Observation Questions:
1. What were the expectations of the Messiah among the people of Israel during Jesus' time? How did these expectations differ from how Jesus presented Himself? [03:45]
2. In Mark 8:27-33, what was Peter's response to Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" and how did Jesus react to Peter's confession? [06:30]
3. How did Jesus redefine His mission in Mark 8:31-33, and what was Peter's reaction to this redefinition? [09:00]
4. What does Jesus mean when He calls His followers to "deny themselves and take up their cross"? [15:00]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think Jesus instructed His disciples not to tell anyone about His identity as the Messiah after Peter's confession? What might this reveal about the nature of His mission? [06:30]
2. How does Jesus' prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection challenge the traditional expectations of a hero? What does this tell us about the nature of true victory? [09:00]
3. In what ways does the call to self-denial and taking up one's cross go against our natural inclinations? How might this challenge our understanding of discipleship? [15:00]
4. How does Jesus' approach to advancing His kingdom through humility, sacrifice, and love differ from worldly methods of power and dominance? [25:19]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own expectations of Jesus. Are there ways in which you have tried to fit Him into your own goals and desires? How can you align your expectations with His mission? [15:36]
2. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. What is one area in your life where you find it difficult to practice self-denial? How can you begin to address this challenge? [15:00]
3. Consider a situation where you have been called to embody humility, sacrifice, or love. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to better reflect Jesus' example? [25:19]
4. Identify a specific way you can serve others this week that might be uncomfortable or challenging. How can you prepare yourself to take this step in faith? [25:19]
5. Think about a time when you have tried to shape Jesus into a hero of your own design. How can you surrender your desires and allow God to work through you for His glory? [25:19]
6. What is one practical step you can take this week to ensure you are following the real Jesus, rather than your own imagination of Him? [25:19]
7. How can you support others in your community to embrace the values of humility, sacrifice, and love in their own lives? What role can you play in encouraging them? [25:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the Unexpected Hero
Jesus came into the world in a manner that defied all expectations. The people of Israel, under Roman rule, anticipated a Messiah who would be a political or military leader, someone who would restore their national pride and free them from oppression. However, Jesus arrived as a humble baby in an unremarkable town, not as a conquering king but as a suffering servant. His mission was not to lead a military revolt but to win a spiritual battle, a victory that appeared as defeat but was the only way to rescue humanity. This unexpected arrival challenges us to reconsider our own expectations of what a hero should be and to recognize the profound impact of humility and sacrifice. [03:45]
Isaiah 53:2-3 (ESV): "For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Reflection: How do your expectations of Jesus align with the reality of His humble and sacrificial nature? What preconceived notions might you need to let go of to truly understand His mission?
Day 2: Aligning with Jesus' Mission
We often try to fit Jesus into our own expectations, wanting Him to serve our goals and desires. However, Jesus calls us to submit to His mission, which may not align with our understanding or desires. In Mark 8, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter correctly identifies Him as the Christ, yet Jesus warns them not to tell anyone. This secrecy underscores the misunderstanding of His mission. The Messiah was expected to be a military hero, not a humble servant. Jesus redefined the mission, predicting His rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection. This was not the plan anyone anticipated, and Peter, like many of us, struggled to accept it. We are challenged to examine whether we are truly following Jesus or merely following our own desires. [15:36]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What personal goals or desires might be hindering you from fully submitting to Jesus' mission? How can you begin to align your life more closely with His purposes today?
Day 3: The Challenge of Self-Denial
Denying ourselves and taking up our cross is a challenging call, but it is essential to following Jesus. This self-denial goes against our natural inclinations but is necessary for spiritual growth. Jesus exemplified this by setting aside His divine privileges to suffer and die for us. Following Him means embracing humility, sacrifice, and love, even when it costs us something. It means allowing God to shape us into His image, rather than trying to mold Him into ours. As we reflect on Jesus as the unlikeliest hero, we are challenged to examine whether we are truly following Him or merely following our own desires. [25:19]
Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to practice self-denial? What steps can you take to embrace humility and sacrifice in those areas?
Day 4: Advancing the Kingdom through Humility
Jesus' kingdom advances through humility, sacrifice, and love, not power or dominance. As followers, we are called to embody these values, even when it costs us something. This call to humility and sacrifice is not easy, but it is the path to true spiritual growth and transformation. By setting aside our own desires and ambitions, we allow God to work through us for His glory. This involves surrendering our desires and allowing God to shape us into His image, rather than trying to mold Him into ours. [25:19]
1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate humility and love in your interactions with others today? What specific actions can you take to advance God's kingdom in your community?
Day 5: Following the Real Jesus
We must examine whether we are truly following the real Jesus or merely following our own imagination. This involves surrendering our desires and allowing God to work through us for His glory. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This call to self-denial is challenging, as it goes against our natural inclinations. Yet, Jesus exemplified this by setting aside His divine privileges to suffer and die for us. Following Him means embracing humility, sacrifice, and love, even when it costs us something. It means allowing God to shape us into His image, rather than trying to mold Him into ours. [25:19]
2 Corinthians 5:15 (ESV): "And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been following a version of Jesus that aligns with your own desires rather than the true Jesus? How can you begin to align your life more closely with His teachings and example?
Quotes
"Jesus came to be the Messiah to be the hero of the world but he came in an unlikely way you know a lot of times when we watch a movie and there's a superhero they'll like come crashing through a window or down and they make this superhero pose but Jesus came as a tiny little baby in an obscure town in the middle of the night." [00:00:17]
"Peter gets it right Jesus is the Messiah but most of Israel the believers in the Messiah is a hero a military hero not this suffering servant not this guy walking around this homeless guy walking around telling telling stories and and calling people to stop their sin sometimes we acknowledge Jesus is Lord but we still expect him to play by our rules and serve our goals." [00:05:03]
"Jesus redefined the mission here people are expecting this guy to come in and lead an army to defeat the Romans but instead Jesus says instead of being a winner and destroying the world and leading us to victory instead I must be suffer I must suffer and be rejected and ultimately killed." [00:11:21]
"Calling the crowd to him with the disciples he said to them if anyone would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me for whoever would save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel will save it for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul." [00:16:17]
"Jesus invites himself to deny themselves and take up their cross and follow him how hard is it for you to deny yourself it's hard for me to deny myself have you ever done this you're you sit down and you have a bag of chips or a bag of nuts or whatever your favorite snack is and you realize that you're eating a little bit more than you should." [00:17:26]
"God calls me to deny myself take up my cross and follow him and he's calling you to do that as well do you ever just don't want to I don't want to do that but here you have God himself the creator of all the universe setting aside the privilege and the glory that is due him to come and be born born as a tiny little baby." [00:18:28]
"The call here isn't just to believe in what Jesus did it's to walk the same path he said if anyone comes after me let him deny himself take up his cross and follow me and he doesn't mean that little jewelry cross around your neck like that's fine but it is this cross this this thing that you must bear in order to show the world you are a follower of Christ." [00:20:27]
"Following Jesus means dying to ourselves to putting ourselves back to giving up control that's hard to giving up comfort that's hard to giving up self glory that's hard I want to be the hero in my story but I'm not Jesus is the hero in my story everything that I have all the good things that I do all the things that are positive about me are because I have accepted Christ." [00:23:42]
"Ask yourself where have I tried to shape Jesus into a hero of my own design Jesus get that guy Jesus give me this Jesus allow this girl to like me Jesus give me that car Jesus help me get that how instead of denying myself saying Jesus what can I do for you how can I serve you ask yourself am I willing to follow Jesus even when it costs me something." [00:24:01]
"Jesus doesn't fight the way the world fight his kingdom doesn't advance through power wealth dominance but instead through humility sacrifice and love he's not the hero we expected but he's the hero we desperately needed." [00:26:12]
"This week I challenge you to take time to ask am I following the real Jesus the unlikeliest hero wrapped in his mother Shaw who came as this tiny little baby and then grew and died on the cross for my sins and the best part resurrected am I following him and surrendering myself to him am I taking up my cross denying myself and following him." [00:26:38]
"God wants to work in your heart to do great things for him you just have to say here I am send me let's pray God I pray that we would be people who would be willing to deny ourselves lay ourselves down at the foot of the cross and say whatever wherever whenever however." [00:27:04]
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