The Cost of True Discipleship

Intro:

Shahbaz Bhatti—age 42 and the only Christian serving in Pakistan’s cabinet

--- In early 2011 Shahbaz Bhatti said “I want to share that I believe in Jesus Christ who has given His own life for us. I know what is the meaning of the cross. And I’m ready to die for a cause. I’m living for my community and suffering people and I will die to defend their rights” (Belz, “Ready,” 15). And indeed, he did just that.

—On March 2, 2011 Shahbaz Bhatti was brutally murdered when gunmen sprayed his body with bullets. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility, saying the attack was a “fitting lesson for the world of infidelity, the crusaders, the Jews and their aides.... This is the fitting end of the accursed one which [will] serve as an example to others. And now with the blessing and aid of Allah, the mujahedeen will send all of you, one by one, to hell.” Shahbaz Bhatti knew the risk he was taking as a devoted follower of King Jesus. Christ-Centered Exposition - Christ-Centered Exposition – Exalting Jesus in Mark.

What is it costing you to follow Christ? Are you ridiculed? Harassed? Made fun of? Are you persecuted? Rejected?

For many Christians in American Christianity, we tend to focus on the “blessings of following Christ” or the “abundant life” passages of scripture. We want to experience the blessings of God, we pray for the blessings of God and for many people who claim to be Christians, their theology doesn’t have room the blessing of persecution or the blessing of suffering for your faith.

Peter says

1 Peter 4:12

1 Peter 4:12–19 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What we come to today in Mark is a flashback to the death of John the Baptist, the prophet who lost his life for faithfully following after God. He paid the ultimate price for his faith.

There is no surprise why Mark puts this story here, if we go back to last week we discover that Jesus is sending out the 12, what did he tell them?

Mark 6:10-

Mark 6:10–11 ESV

And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

Jesus was telling them some will accept you but others will reject you.

Mark takes a pause to remind you of a man the Jesus said of him ‘11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’

Mark highlights John here, in my opinion because he was man who many recieved his message, yet many rejected his message and ultimately his message of repentance cost him his life.

The cost of true discipleship may bring persecution, suffering, it may even bring death from this world, but it will also bring pleasure to King Jesus.

Why?

Some will misunderstand you

Some will fear you

Some will hate you

I. Some Will Misunderstand You

A. King Herod heard of it, for Jesus name had become known.

Who is this King Herod?

1. The Herodian family tree was as twisted as the trunk of an olive tree. No fewer than four rulers bear the name “Herod” in the NT. The Herod of our story, Herod Antipas, was the second of the four, who ruled from the death of his father Herod (the Great) in 4 B.C. until A.D. 39. His official title was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (; ; Josephus, Ant. 18.109), although he popularly enjoyed the title “king” (Justin Martyr, Dial. Trypho 49.4–5; Gospel of Peter 1; Acts of Pilate, Prologue). “Tetrarch” (lit. “ruler of a fourth part” [of Palestine]) was the title given to Herod’s sons who ruled over the four divisions of his kingdom after his death. Herod the Great () had ten wives, Antipas being son of the fourth wife, Malthace. Herodias was the daughter of Aristobulus, Antipas’s half-brother who was murdered by his father Herod. Herodias was thus a granddaughter of Herod the Great through his second wife, Mariamne I, and hence a niece of Herod Antipas. Antipas is less infamous than Herod the Great largely because he was less able rather than less ruthless. It was not without reason that the early church mentioned Antipas’s name before Pilate’s when recalling the crucifixion of Jesus (). Like his father, Antipas was shrewd, pitiless, and a lover of luxury, particularly of magnificent architecture. He built two cities in Galilee, Tiberias and Sepphoris. Jesus’ reference to Antipas as “that fox” () bears eloquent testimony to the latter’s cunning and malice. Antipas revealed his avarice when he persuaded Herodias, wife of his half-brother Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great’s third wife Mariamne II (not the tetrarch Philip of ), to divorce her husband and marry him.17 In order to marry Herodias, however, Antipas had to jilt his own wife, the daughter of Aretas, king of Nabatea east of the Dead Sea. In reprisal, Aretas inflicted a crushing defeat on Antipas in A.D. 36. Three years later Antipas and Herodias were banished to Gaul by the emperor Caligula.18

Antipas is less infamous than Herod the Great largely because he was less able rather than less ruthless. It was not without reason that the early church mentioned Antipas’s name before Pilate’s when recalling the crucifixion of Jesus (). Like his father, Antipas was shrewd, pitiless, and a lover of luxury, particularly of magnificent architecture. He built two cities in Galilee, Tiberias and Sepphoris. Jesus’ reference to Antipas as “that fox” () bears eloquent testimony to the latter’s cunning and malice. Antipas revealed his avarice when he persuaded Herodias, wife of his half-brother Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great’s third wife Mariamne II (not the tetrarch Philip of ), to divorce her husband and marry him.17 In order to marry Herodias, however, Antipas had to jilt his own wife, the daughter of Aretas, king of Nabatea east of the Dead Sea. In reprisal, Aretas inflicted a crushing defeat on Antipas in A.D. 36. Three years later Antipas and Herodias were banished to Gaul by the emperor Caligula.18

The message and works of Christ have been spreading through the region.

B. People will misunderstand your message

1. the message was clear repent for the kingdom of God is here.

2. Yet people love their sin so much they will distort your message and the person of Christ to fit their lifestyle.

II. Some people will fear your message

In Herod it caused fear.

Because John was unjustly arrested

Herod Antipas was married to the daughter of a king in the neighboring region.

Then he married Herodias, his brother half Brother Phillip’s wife

John called them to repentance because of their adultery and for Herod taking the wife of his brother which is forbidden in the law.

Herod thought Jesus ministry would bring judgement on him for unjustly arresting and killing John

What is the cry of the world?

“you cant judge me”

why?

because they fear it

there is something in them, even if it is a small faint voice which is screaming at them, you are wrong.

The problem is because of our sin marred lives we have trained ourselves to silence that voice

Herod was right to fear judgement, but his judgement was not coming from Christ earthly ministry it is coming when he stands before the throne of God.

III. Some Will Want To Kill You

A. The Setting

B. Herodias, Salome & Herod

The dance

The oath

A mothers request of her daughter

A warning to parents

The Celebration of Death

Celebration

head on a platter

we think how savage

what about us here in America? Have we are we just as Barbaric as those in Herod’s party? Are we or are we celebrating while the death of the innocent is happening?

We have had trans atlantic slavery? How savage!!!!

We have treated people, made in the image of God, American Citizens as second class citizens with segregation. How savage!!!!!

We currently are murdering the unborn at record pace. How savage!!!!!

C. John was hated by Herodias because of His message

Conclusion:

What about you? If you analyzed your discipleship through the lens of John the Baptist

Are you following after God with a whole heart?

Are you boldly proclaiming the Gospel?

Does suffering for the sake of the Gospel hold you back?

Do you look to the greater reward awaiting you in heaven, more than the temporary pleasures of this world?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.