Understanding Jesus: From Identification to Transformation
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound difference between identifying who Jesus is and understanding what He truly means in our lives. We began by acknowledging that everyone in our community is a work in progress, and no one has all the answers. We are all on a journey, taking steps toward a deeper relationship with Jesus. This journey is not about arriving at a destination but about continually moving forward together.
We delved into the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus's actions and words often left people amazed and astonished. His miracles and teachings were not just for show; they were revelations of a greater truth—the Kingdom of God. Jesus's ministry was about more than just identifying Him as the Messiah; it was about understanding the implications of His kingship. The disciples, despite being closest to Him, often struggled to grasp the full meaning of His mission.
Peter's declaration of Jesus as the Messiah was correct, yet he misunderstood what that entailed. Jesus's rebuke of Peter highlighted the difference between human expectations and divine purpose. Jesus's path was not one of earthly power and conquest but of self-sacrificial love and service. He called His followers to take up their crosses, a radical and shocking invitation to embrace a life of humility and transformation.
We are challenged to move beyond asking what Jesus can do for us and instead ask what He asks of us. This shift in perspective requires us to step off the throne of our own lives and allow Jesus to lead. It is a call to transformation, not just affirmation or toleration. As we navigate our lives, we must continually ask ourselves if our understanding of Jesus aligns with His true nature and mission.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding vs. Identification: It's possible to correctly identify who Jesus is but still misunderstand what He means. This distinction is crucial as it shapes how we live out our faith. Jesus's identity as the Messiah is not just a title; it carries profound implications for how we follow Him. [34:54]
2. The Way of the King: Jesus's kingship is marked by self-sacrificial love, not earthly power. His call to take up our cross is a radical invitation to live a life of humility and service, contrasting sharply with worldly notions of power and success. [41:11]
3. Transformation Over Affirmation: Jesus's love is not merely about affirming us or tolerating our flaws. It is about transforming us into His likeness. This transformation requires us to step off the throne of our lives and allow Jesus to lead. [51:52]
4. From "What Can Jesus Do for Me?" to "What Does Jesus Ask of Me?": Our journey with Jesus should move from seeking what He can do for us to understanding what He asks of us. This shift in focus leads to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. [56:42]
5. Living in the Kingdom: The way of the King is the way of the Kingdom. As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody His values and live out His mission in the world. This requires a continual reassessment of our lives and priorities in light of His teachings. [54:09]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Introduction and Community
[05:30] - The Difference Between What Is and What It Means
[10:00] - Examples of Misunderstanding Meaning
[15:00] - Jesus's Astonishing Actions
[20:00] - The Kingdom of God
[25:00] - Identifying Jesus vs. Understanding Jesus
[30:00] - Peter's Declaration and Misunderstanding
[35:00] - The Radical Call to Take Up the Cross
[40:00] - The Way of the King and the Kingdom
[45:00] - Transformation Over Affirmation
[50:00] - Shifting Our Focus: What Does Jesus Ask of Me?
[55:00] - Living Out the Kingdom Values
[01:00:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[01:04:19] - Final Thoughts and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 1:15 - "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"
2. Mark 8:27-34 - Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah." Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
Observation Questions:
1. What were the different opinions people had about Jesus's identity according to Mark 8:27-28? How did these opinions reflect their understanding of Jesus's mission? [34:54]
2. How did Peter's declaration of Jesus as the Messiah differ from the common expectations of a Messiah during that time? [38:09]
3. What was Jesus's response to Peter's declaration, and why did he instruct the disciples not to tell anyone about him? [38:09]
4. What does Jesus mean when he calls his followers to "take up their cross" in Mark 8:34, and how might this have been understood by his disciples? [41:11]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus's announcement of the Kingdom of God in Mark 1:15 challenge the traditional expectations of a Messiah? What implications does this have for understanding his mission? [48:36]
2. In what ways does Peter's misunderstanding of Jesus's mission reflect common human concerns versus divine concerns? How does this misunderstanding impact his relationship with Jesus? [41:11]
3. How does the concept of self-sacrificial love as demonstrated by Jesus contrast with worldly notions of power and success? What does this reveal about the nature of Jesus's kingship? [51:52]
4. How does the call to transformation, rather than mere affirmation or toleration, challenge the way individuals perceive their relationship with Jesus? [54:09]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of who Jesus is. How does this understanding influence your daily life and decisions? Are there areas where you might need to realign your perspective with Jesus's true nature and mission? [56:42]
2. Consider the concept of taking up your cross. What are some specific ways you can embrace a life of humility and service in your current circumstances? [41:11]
3. How can you shift your focus from asking "What can Jesus do for me?" to "What does Jesus ask of me?" Identify one area in your life where you can make this shift and discuss practical steps to implement it. [56:42]
4. In what ways can you embody the values of the Kingdom of God in your community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to live out these values. [54:09]
5. Reflect on a time when your expectations of Jesus were challenged. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can this insight guide you in future situations? [48:36]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you are currently sitting on the throne. What steps can you take to step off the throne and allow Jesus to lead in that area? [54:09]
7. Think of a person in your life who may not fully understand the implications of Jesus's kingship. How can you engage them in a conversation that helps them explore this aspect of Jesus's identity? [48:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Jesus Beyond Identification
Understanding who Jesus is goes beyond merely identifying Him as the Messiah; it involves grasping the profound implications of His role in our lives. Many people, including the disciples, recognized Jesus as the Messiah but struggled to comprehend what that truly meant. Jesus's identity is not just a title; it carries significant meaning for how we live out our faith. His life and teachings reveal the Kingdom of God, challenging us to align our understanding with His true nature and mission. This distinction shapes our journey of faith, urging us to move beyond surface-level recognition to a deeper, transformative relationship with Him. [34:54]
Mark 8:29-31 (ESV): "And he asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Christ.' And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again."
Reflection: In what ways have you identified Jesus in your life without fully understanding His role and mission? How can you seek a deeper understanding of His true nature today?
Day 2: Embracing the Way of the King
Jesus's kingship is characterized by self-sacrificial love rather than earthly power. His call to take up our cross is a radical invitation to live a life of humility and service, contrasting sharply with worldly notions of power and success. This path requires us to let go of our own desires for control and embrace a life that mirrors Jesus's example of love and sacrifice. By following the way of the King, we align ourselves with the values of the Kingdom of God, which prioritize service over self-interest and humility over pride. [41:11]
Philippians 2:5-8 (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. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice self-sacrificial love and humility today? How can you embody the way of the King in your interactions with others?
Day 3: Transformation Over Affirmation
Jesus's love is not merely about affirming us or tolerating our flaws; it is about transforming us into His likeness. This transformation requires us to step off the throne of our lives and allow Jesus to lead. It involves a shift from seeking affirmation to embracing the transformative power of His love. As we surrender our lives to Him, we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, who molds us into the image of Christ. This process is ongoing and requires a willingness to let go of our own agendas and submit to His will. [51:52]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to allow Jesus to transform you? How can you actively participate in this transformation process today?
Day 4: Shifting Focus from "What Can Jesus Do for Me?" to "What Does Jesus Ask of Me?"
Our journey with Jesus should move from seeking what He can do for us to understanding what He asks of us. This shift in focus leads to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. Instead of approaching Jesus with a list of requests, we are invited to listen to His voice and discern His will for our lives. This requires a posture of humility and openness, as we seek to align our desires with His purposes. By asking what Jesus requires of us, we position ourselves to be used by Him in ways that extend His love and grace to others. [56:42]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from what Jesus can do for you to what He asks of you today? What steps can you take to align your desires with His will?
Day 5: Living in the Kingdom
The way of the King is the way of the Kingdom. As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody His values and live out His mission in the world. This requires a continual reassessment of our lives and priorities in light of His teachings. Living in the Kingdom means embracing a lifestyle that reflects the values of love, justice, and mercy. It involves being agents of change in our communities, as we seek to bring the reality of God's Kingdom to earth. By living in the Kingdom, we participate in God's redemptive work and become a reflection of His love to the world. [54:09]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can embody the values of the Kingdom in your daily life? How can you be an agent of change in your community today?
Quotes
It's possible to be right about what a thing is like to correctly identify it and still be wrong about what a thing means. It is possible to be right about what a thing is and be wrong about what that thing means. See, a few weeks ago we started a series just called that just happened and the reason why we call it that is because throughout Jesus's ministry he's saying and doing things that are so crazy and so amazing and so baffling that they're beyond words. [00:25:16] (29 seconds)
In Jesus' day, there's a prominent temple in Caesarea Philippi to the newest pagan god, the Roman emperor himself. A Messiah announcing God's kingdom was not, I'm sorry, was a challenge to Rome itself. Jesus is not just announcing the kingdom. He thinks he's the king. So when Peter says you're the Messiah and Jesus doesn't stop him from that answer, he's actually, this is actually kind of a setup for a showdown of kind of empires, if you will. [00:36:19] (28 seconds)
Imagine just for the sake of contrast, if you could think of another kind of king who's more like a philosopher kind of king, who's not real excited about combat or taking people out or doing all that other kind of stuff. Maybe he's a little afraid. Who knows? But that's a different way of the king and his kingdom. So this is what's being established here. There is a new king and there could be only one and a new way of being a king and a new way of being in a kingdom. [00:37:56] (21 seconds)
Then the stakes get even higher. Verse 34, then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples. So you have the disciples having this conversation, the rebuking, yeah, I rebuke you, I rebuke you, all that stuff going back and forth. And then he calls the rest of the crowd together. Everybody's pulled together like, hey, I want you guys all to hear this. And he says, anybody who wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, famous passage, take up their cross and follow me. [00:41:44] (25 seconds)
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel this message will save it what good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul so it sets up this incredible binary you can lose your soul while trying to protect it or you can follow me picking up a cross and you can sort of die that way. Either way, it's miserable. Who's in? [00:45:42] (28 seconds)
Christianity, they ought to know, is not a life hack. I love the way she says that. It's not just like a little, what if we just added a little bit of Jesus? Like, it's just not going to make everything like a little simpler for you, okay? It's a life -upending surrender to the fact of divine love that a person can write. Christianity at its core is not a religion that can reliably deliver socially desirable outcomes, nor is it intended to be. [00:47:44] (24 seconds)
Christianity is worth following not because it has the potential to improve one's life, though it can, but rather because it is true. And she's like, look, do everybody who's kind of moving in this direction, do they understand what it means? Because she goes on to chronicle the whole story of all these people who follow Jesus who give their lives for that reason, who find themselves releasing everything that they own and going, I'm just a manager. [00:48:34] (24 seconds)
What does Jesus ask of me? Not what can Jesus do for me, but what does he ask of me? Because when we wrestle with this question about Jesus being the king on the throne and we willingly step off, a person who's on the throne says, what can you do for me? A person who's not on the throne says, what do you ask of me? Man, there's a lot of questions to wrestle with about what that means, but it does get closer to the question of answering what it means when Jesus says he's the Messiah or the king. [00:56:42] (31 seconds)
And when we talk about the king and the kingdom, the model you give us is one of self -sacrificial love. Father, we're grateful to receive it as much as we're able to kind of understand it. But then that also means, Father, a deep challenge for us, which is about being the kind of people who are self -sacrificial for everybody else. And Father, whether we're able to or not even sure exactly what it means, today, as best as we can, we want to be people who will learn how to ask the question, what are you asking of me? [00:57:35] (40 seconds)
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