The Way of Jesus

Introduction

If anyone would come after me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.

These were the words Jesus repeated to his disciples multiple times as they were on the road going up to Jerusalem.

But as much as Jesus taught them what it meant to follow him. . . as much as he lived it before them. . . they still didn’t get it.

The gospel accounts show that, at times, the disciples followed Jesus for selfish reasons. . . they seemed to never understand the significance of suffering and its relationship to vindication and victory. . . but according to Mark’s gospel, one can never understand who Jesus is without understanding the necessity of his final destiny of suffering.

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus reveals himself as the servant king who speaks of all he will give, but his servants come to him with shopping lists of what they can get.

Today, I wonder, if we too, like the disciples, have misunderstood the way of Jesus?

Are following Jesus for our own selfish gain?

Are our lives characterized more by self-sacrificial service or selfish ambition?

Why is it that we too cannot understand the teachings of Jesus of sacrifice, self-denial, and servanthood?

I believe it is because we all struggle with the heart problem of pride and selfish ambition. . . and at the end of the day, we seek our own glory instead of our Savior’s.

But this morning, in Mark 10:32-45, Jesus’ last teaching on discipleship will provide the solution to our problem of pride and self-glory. . . .

Key Point: Through trusting in the sacrificial death of the suffering servant we will have the power to follow his way of suffering, self-denial, and servanthood.

Today from Mark 10:32-45, Our Lord will teach us that following him involves three things. . . the first being suffering.

1. The Way of Jesus Involves Suffering (v. 32-34).

Mark 10:32 (ESV)

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.

Jesus teaches us in verses 32-34 that suffering involves misunderstanding but it is part of the mission.

In verse 32, Jesus’ closest followers question his actions and were “amazed” that Jesus is “walking ahead of them” to Jerusalem.

They could not square why he would willingly march to his impending death in Jerusalem.

But Luke, in quoting Isaiah 50:7 says in chapter 9, verse 51, that Jesus had “set his face like flint” to go to Jerusalem.

The word “flint” describes an extremely hard stone. Essentially Jesus was “hard-headed,” he was headstrong, he was determined to get to Jerusalem to fulfill the mission he made with the Father and Spirit from eternity past.

Luke 18:31 says that Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection was written about in the prophets and must be fulfilled. . . so for Jesus, nothing would sway him, and he would fulfill what was written of him in the Scriptures. . . even if his closest companions did not understand his actions. . . because even though suffering often involves misunderstanding. . . suffering is part of the mission.

So, Jesus, graciously takes the twelve aside for the third time and teaches them that his suffering is part of God’s divine plan that will end in his resurrection and glory.

Mark 10:32–34 (ESV)

And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

Notice in Jesus’ third prediction of his suffering, death, and resurrection. . . he repeatedly tells the disciples his suffering and death “will” take place.

Jesus repeats the word “will” four times. He will not only be delivered over to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. All people will reject him, and he will face an excruciating death. . . and this was all part of the divine plan of God.

Isaiah 53:10 says that it was the “will of the Lord” to crush the suffering servant. . . and Peter says later in Acts that Jesus’ handing over and his death was according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.

But notice too, that as sure as Jesus’s suffering and death are. . . his resurrection is just as sure. . . “after three days he will rise,” . . . but death comes before resurrection. . . suffering comes before glory.

The way of Jesus involves suffering and this suffering cannot be bypassed because it is part of the mission of God. . . and just as suffering was the pathway for Jesus to glory. . . it is also the pathway for all who choose to follow him.

Suffering is not optional for those who follow Jesus.

Now, this does not mean that everyone of us who follows Jesus will be called to die for our faith. . . even though some may. . . but the Scriptures constantly repeat that suffering is a normal occurrence for the Christian.

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

So. . . do we understand that suffering is part of our mission of following the way of Jesus. . . or do we misunderstand his actions like the twelve disciples?

What is our Christianity costing us?

Do we, like Jesus, have an unwavering determination to do the Father’s will. . . no matter if people misunderstand us. . . no matter what it may cost?

So, the way of Jesus first involves suffering, but second, Jesus teaches us through his dialogue with James and John, that his way also involves self-denial.

2. The Way of Jesus Involves Self-Denial (v. 35-41).

Mark 10:35–37 ESV

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

In these verses, James and John show us that Self-Denial is Not Natural (v. 35-37).

This is the third time that the disciples misunderstand Jesus’ teaching about his suffering, death, and resurrection along the way.

Peter rebukes him in chapter 8, the disciples argue who is the greatest in chapter 9, and now James and John come to Jesus and ask him for the seats of royalty.

There are two likely reasons for James and John’s question.

First, they heard Jesus tell Peter in a previous conversation that those who left everything and followed him would sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

So, James and John were competing with Peter to get the glory and reserve their thrones ahead of him.

Second, They seemed to have misinterpreted Jesus’ words about Peter testifying him as the Messiah.

They thought that Jesus would usher in the Kingdom and destroy Israel’s enemies when he entered Jerusalem.

Thus, they wanted to go ahead and reserve their seats next to Jesus in his glory and power when he became King. . . yet, they completely disregarded Jesus’ words. . . that the cross must come before the crown.

James and John’s actions were the natural inclination of their sinful heart. They wanted to seek places of prominence, position, and power. . . and so they were blind to the teachings of Jesus and had “selective hearing”. . . they only heard from Jesus what they wanted to hear that would benefit them.

But, lets not point the finger too quick at James and John. . . for they are merely a mirror into our own sinful and selfish hearts.

Like James and John, selflessness is not our natural inclination either.

How do we misunderstand the words of Jesus and have selective hearing. . . choosing the parts of his teaching that we will obey and disregarding other parts that don’t benefit us?

What selfish ambitions are motivating us in following Jesus?

How are we seeking to bypass the process of suffering and servanthood to gain the prize of glory?

So, self-denial does not come natural to our sinful hearts. . . but Jesus, in his response to the selfish request from James and John in verse 38, teaches that to follow him along the way. . . self-denial is necessary.

Mark 10:38–40 ESV

38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Jesus graciously responds to their question and tells them they have no idea what they are asking because they don’t understand that to sit with Jesus in glory, they must serve, suffer, and die like him.

They don’t understand that at the time of Jesus’s greatest glory, the two men on his right and his left were not apostles on thrones. . . but criminals upon crosses!

Jesus clarifies that the path to the crown must go through the cross and asks them if they are able to drink the cup and to experience the baptism of suffering that he will go through when they enter Jerusalem.

“The cup” refers to the cup of God’s judgment Jesus would drink, and “the baptism” refers to Jesus being immersed in the Father’s wrath as he suffered and died for the sins of the people.

But shockingly, still misunderstanding Jesus’ words, James and John respond audaciously. . . “we are able.”

Similar to the rich young ruler in the previous scene, they were self-confident in their own abilities to follow Jesus. . . and they thought they could endure a little hardship if Jesus would grant them seats of power in his kingdom.

Their response revealed they only understood discipleship to Jesus as a means to a selfish end; it would help them achieve their goal of having power over others. . . and so they were willing to drink this cup of victory that they would enjoy in their glory.

James and John were not alone in this lust for power. . . for verse 41 says when the other ten disciples heard James and John’s request, they became angry at the sons of Zebedee because they wanted seats in glory as well and James and John had beaten them to the punch!

But Jesus, once more, says self-denial is necessary by telling them in verses 39-40 that he cannot promise them places of power. . . but he does promise them that they will experience self-denial through suffering.

Now, by Jesus saying they will drink the cup and experience his baptism, He is not saying they will suffer God’s judgment for sins like him. Instead, since Jesus drank the cup and was immersed in the baptism of God’s judgment, the cup and baptism they will experience is one of purification.

Jesus’ words were fulfilled for James and John, as James was killed by the sword (Acts 12:2) and John suffered immensely for following Jesus before being exiled on the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9).

Like James and John if we are to follow the way of Jesus, we must deny ourselves and die to our selfish pride. . . we must drink the cup and be immersed in the baptism of suffering for purification. . . for Paul taught us that through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). . . we must share in his sufferings to share in his resurrection and glory (Phil. 3:10).

We cannot bypass the cross to get to the crown. . . selfish ambition and people-pleasing have no place in Jesus’ kingdom.

“Before the crown, there is a cup of suffering. Before the blessings that flow there is a baptism that overwhelms and drowns.” -Danny Akin

Following the way of Jesus involves suffering and self-denial, which naturally leads us to the third principle of discipleship. . . the way of Jesus involves servanthood.

3. The Way of Jesus Involves Servanthood (v. 42-45).

Mark 10:42–44 ESV

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

For the third time, as they are walking along the way, Jesus corrects the thinking of his disciples about how to be the greatest and teaches that Servanthood must not be characterized by the pattern of the world (v. 42-44).

He does this by comparing and contrasting the way the kings of this world rule with the way his disciples should rule and lead.

Those who rule the nations “exercise authority” and lord it over their subjects, which conveys oppressive and an uncontrolled display of power.

These rulers acted like harsh dictators and considered themselves gods over their subjects and ruled them tyrannically.

In contrast, Jesus says that the disciples must not rule like this. . . if they are to follow his way, they cannot have this lust for power the Gentile rulers demonstrated.

This was a pagan desire for power, rule, and authority that exploited others instead of loving them and had no place in the kingdom of God that was ruled by the servant king.

And Jesus’ way is the same way for us. . . for if we desire to lead, we cannot desire worldly power to make a name for ourselves. . .

“If we have the world’s mentality of wanting the foremost place, we are not qualified for Christian leadership. To the extent that we want power we are in the flesh, and the Holy Spirit has no part in us.” -Francis Schaeffer

So, instead of desiring power for self-glory, Jesus says that to be great, the disciples must become a servant and slave of all.

It was an extremely radical statement for Jesus to compare greatness with servanthood and being a slave.

Both Jews and Gentiles treated slaves as socially inferior and second-class citizens. . . yet, Jesus turns the common understanding of greatness, power, and leadership on its head by calling the greatest of all the slave of all.

But practically, what does it mean to be a servant and slave of all?

A slave had no rights, but only did what his or her master commanded.

They performed the tasks that no one else desired.

So what does that look like for us at Westwood?

In your bulletin, you have an insert that lists all the ministry needs we have at our church. There are other areas of service, but those listed on this sheet are where we need the most help.

All of these tasks are things that often, we don’t want to do. . . these tasks are not easy but difficult and require selflessness, patience, and commitment.

But being a slave of all at Westwood means serving in our. .

Children’s ministry as a Wednesday night teacher and preschool volunteer.

Student ministry as a Wednesday night helper or Discipleship group leader.

First Impressions as an usher or greeter.

LifeGroups as a leader or host home.

Evangelism/community outreach.

Prayer ministry.

Facilities ministry in setup/tear down/mowing lawns

Transportation.

The wonderful thing about Jesus’ definition of greatness, is that everyone has the ability to be great because everyone has the ability to serve. . . MLK said it like this:

“You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know Plato and Aristotle. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Does the role of a servant and slave characterize our lives?

If someone asked a member in this church if servanthood was a defining characteristic in your life, what would they say?

The hard truth is that we all struggle to rightly understand and follow the way of Jesus. . . we misunderstand suffering and think it should be foreign to our lives. . . we do not deny ourselves, but instead live for our own glory and ambition. . . and we desire prominent positions of power to dominate others instead of lowering ourselves to the role of a slave to serve them.

Our hearts are selfish, prideful, and power hungry and we cannot follow the way of Jesus. . . but praise be to God that Jesus does not end his teaching there. . . for he shows us in verse 45 that Servanthood must consider and be conformed to the example of Christ (v. 45).

Mark 10:45 ESV

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Even the divine Son of Man. . . even the Messiah. . . even the Son of God. . . came not to seek worldly power, fame, and domineer over others. . . but he came to serve. . . and specifically, Jesus served humanity in giving his life as a ransom.

Philippians 2:6-8.

Jesus gave his life for us to pay our sin debt, which was our ransom payment to God, to free us from our sin.

This idea of paying a ransom for our sins goes back to Isaiah 53:10 and shows that Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53.

If Jesus, the Master served. . . how can we not serve? (John 13:14)

Our issue is our hearts are hard and we are consumed with self-glory and selfish ambition. By Jesus giving himself as a ransom for our sin, he paid our sin debt and freed us from the captivity of our selfishness.

Now, by following the way of Jesus through trusting in his sacrificial death, we can die to self and our character can be transformed through the power of the cross in order to have the power to become a servant and slave of all like our Savior.

Jesus’s example of laying down his life is another demonstration of what it means to be a servant and slave of all.

We must give our lives (die to ourselves) to serve others.

We must place other’s needs above our own (Phil. 2:3-4).

Jesus did this for his people, the church. . . therefore, we must give up our lives to serve his body, the church.

The way of Jesus involves servanthood. . . but it is through the suffering servanthood of Jesus that he bought our salvation with his blood and was exalted in glory (Phil. 2:6-11).

If we follow the way of Jesus in suffering, self-denial, and servanthood, we will also receive salvation and glory with Jesus in the New Jerusalem.

But. . . here’s the deal. . . even though following Jesus is a burden. . . it is more so a blessing. . . because he has already walked the path before us (blazed the trail, forerunner- Heb. 12:1-4), and he promises to be with us every step of the way. . . and it is ultimately this way that leads to life.

Jesus even says that he will bear our burdens and be with us as we yoke ourselves to him in his service. When we do this, we will find rest and peace for our souls, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

So, as we close, here is what I want you to do. . . there are two responses this morning. . . First, to the Christian, to those that are members here at Westwood. . . I want to give you a chance to respond right now to what Jesus has taught us about following him and being great in his Kingdom. . . and I want you to put it into practice here at Westwood.

Pray. . . confess sin. . . ask Jesus to transform your heart to have his mind and attitude to serve others. . . and ask Jesus how he wants you to serve his church at Westwood, your family, your friends, etc. . . then fill out the card and drop it off at the starting point desk as you exit through the doors at the end of our time.