↓Audio link to the full sermon
We will take a look at the words of Jesus, which cannot be understood by human common sense. Please read Mark 9: 30-37. Jesus has repeatedly used the expression “the Son of Man” referring himself as the Messiah. Jesus said, the Messiah will be killed and resurrected three days later. This was the second time He mentioned about this to his disciples. The first one is written in Mark 8:31, and the third one in Mark 10:33-34. Each time the disciples were confused, they couldn’t understand what Jesus was saying and they were afraid to ask Jesus about it.
I understand the feelings of the disciples. It was because when I started reading the Bible, I was moved by Jesus’ love on the cross, some miracles, and the words spoken, but I could not understand the resurrection. I wasn’t able to believe the resurrection of Jesus, it seemed almost impossible to believe and accept.
Apostle Paul, who used to be the persecutor of the church, later became a disciple of Jesus, said in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” The message of the cross refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians are those who believe in Jesus, who took all of our sins on the cross, and have been raised on the third day. but this message seems to be foolish for those who are perishing.
I have been raised in a Japanese church and led to study in the United States, and there I saw the wonderful faith of Christians. As I studied at Christian University, I realized there were many people who believed in the creation of God, not evolution. I was really encouraged and nurtured by their faith, I even started to have this desire to be a worker of God if that was His desire. I realized that these changes in my heart were the work of God by His power as I accepted the Gospel in my life. Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 “but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
The disciples who could not understand the resurrection of Jesus, their interests seemed to be the discussion of who was the greatest. Jesus said to them. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,”(Mark 10:43 )
There’s the contrast between Jesus, who became the sacrifice on the cross and gave his life for humanity, and His disciples’ self-centeredness. However, the power of the Gospel changed the disciples after meeting the resurrected Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit, they became the true servant. What about you guys? I believe that you, who believe in Jesus’ cross and resurrection, He gave you the same challenge of experiencing the joy of serving.
