Untitled Sermon (2)

Suffering of Christ - Suffering for Christ

Luke 9:18–23 NIV

18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” 20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Introduction

Anyone who knows me will understand that I am quite partial to cake. Fuit cake, layer cake, tea-cake, cream cake - all manner of cake. I’m not too fussy. In fact, if there is cake left-over, I feel that it is my duty to finish it off … not because I am greedy, you understand, but to protect others from having to suffer the extra calories. I am very thoughtful like that.

You’ve heard the phrase ‘suffering for my art’? Well I’m not well versed in the world of art. But the world of cake? That’s a different matter!

But what would be the point of looking through the baker’s shop window and admiring the cakes that you see and not taking your interest any further?

What would you know about the cakes you saw?

Colour

Size

Type of icing

You can only know about the outside of it - what you can see. And you have to guess or imagine how it tastes based on your previous experience or what other people have told you. You might even ask the baker to tell you about it. But the only way you will know for sure is to taste it for yourself.

And what would be the point of keeping all that cake to myself? That would be a massive case of ‘have your cake and eat it’ which might seem like a good idea, but is not really very helpful.

Despite my earlier comments about my cake-eating habits, there’s nothing quite like having someone to share your cake with.

I’d rather share my cake than just have my cake and eat it.

I’d rather be a cake evangelist than just a consumer of cake.

In our bible text, Jesus asks his dsciples two questions

- “Who do the crowds say I am?”

- “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”

The first question could be expanded something like - Those people who have watched me from a distance, who have heard what I teach but have not yet accepted my teacing - you know, the ones who have just ‘looked through the window without buying or tasting the goods for themselves’ - what are they saying about me?

The second question is similar but it is addressed to those who have been following him and hanging on his every word, the ones who have put down their fishing nets, their day jobs, their plans for the future. The ones who have taken on-board the teachings of Jesus and started to follow him, the ones who have savoured the rich flavours and textures of the new life that Jesus promised, and know him personally.

How different were the responses of the two groups of people.

The ones who had only seen and heard Jesus compared him to the prophets who they knew about from history. They’d knew what a prophet was, they didn’t need to think too hard, they did not allow the words of Jesus to sink in and effect their lives. There was no cost to them. It was the equivalent of tuning in to a TV drama, sitting back and enjoying the specatacle. No real engagement. No lasting change in their lives. Just something to talk about in the market square and around the kitchen table.

But for those who had listened carefully to his words, those who had made the connections between what he said, what he did and how the ancient scriptures talked about the coming messiah - these people realised the significance of this man. They had made a costly purchase. They had digested his teaching, his acts and his way of being. And by asking this question, Jesus enabled them to speak out what they understood in their heart but, maybe, never dared to say because it had such a huge impact on them, their community, their nation and the qorld for all eternity.

If Jesus was the Messiah - and his followers now knew that he was - this was the one that was promised hundreds of yearsag. He was not just another charismatic teacher, not just another sorcerer who did magic tricks to amaze people, not just another false prophet who’s words did not come true. This was the Messiah, the ‘forever’ king of Israel who God promised would come with might and authority to rescue God’s people and bring in a time a blessing and prosperity.

If you don’t mind me returning to my terrible analogy - This was some amazing cake!

Jesus says - Don’t keep me all for yourself!

I’m, here to be shared!

But there will be a cost. Not to your wastline, but to your reputation. Your very lives will be in danger because the population prefer to be led by the powerful people who’s only interest is maintaining their own power and authority and wealth. Many people will hear you talking about the coming of the messiah and declare it to be ‘Fake News!’ - The powerful people who’s power, authority and wealth is undermined when people turn towards me - Jesus, the Messiah - will do everything they can to silence you.

I myself, Jesus of Nazareth - who you have heard and seen and followed - I will be led away by the powerful people in this community, I will be rejected by the people who should know better - the ones who the people trust. I will be made to suffer and finally I will be led to a place of execution where I will physically die. But I will rise again on the third day.

There will be suffering for you. I’m not just asking you to stand on the street corners giving out free samples and talk about me as if I am an amazing cake.

I’m asking you to put yourself in the firing line.

I’m asking you to show people, though your words and deeds, that my life example, my teaching, my promise is more than just a TV drama.

I’m asking you to be willing to have your arguments to be shot down, to be called ‘Fake News’, to be disowned, rejected, persecuted - to be willing to lose what you think is important in your life. But I will always be with you in Spirit, to support you, to guide you and to comfort you. What you lose in life, you will gain in eternity.

Application

Conclusion

And at the end days, we will celebrate together with all of those people who you have turned away from the treacherous lies of the Evil One and turned back towards me.

And a new world will be established without pain, or suffering, fear or illness. And (maybe even) as much cake as you desire to eat!