Kingdom Disciples

Jesus proclaimed a new and different political reality, the Kingdom of God, and it bears little resemblance to the governments of this world .  When Jesus appeared in Galilee, he proclaimed the “ Kingdom of God ”: “ Repent, for the kingdom is at hand .” God’s reign was invading the Earth in his ministry. His realm was and remains entirely different than the political systems of the present fallen age, and it is incompatible with its political ideologies without exception . The Messiah of Israel refused worldly political power, especially when offered by Satan.  Likewise, his Church is summoned to something different than the existing world order. Righteousness must not be advanced by committing evil. - (“ Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil! ” - Isaiah 5:20).

His disciples are called to self-sacrificial service for others just as Jesus gave his life to ransom  many from sin’s  bondage – Mark 10:35-45. After predicting his impending death, two disciples began jockeying for high positions in his future Kingdom. Thinking according to the ways of this world , they did not comprehend what kind of Messiah Jesus was and what it meant to follow him. However, in Jerusalem, he would demonstrate how to become his disciple and achieve “ greatness ” in the Kingdom of God when he was nailed to the Roman Cross.

As his disciples, we are called to engage in self-sacrificial service for others just as Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many . After predicting his death, two disciples began jockeying for high positions in Christ’s coming Kingdom. Thinking like the world and its ideologies, they did not comprehend what kind of Messiah Jesus was, and therefore, what it meant to follow him. However, he would demonstrate how one achieved “ Greatness ” in the Kingdom of God on Calvary.

Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of unlimited political power and instead chose the way of the Suffering Servant . Satan tempted Jesus by offering him political power over “ all the kingdoms of the world .” However, he refused the Devil’s offer . Instead, he submitted to the way of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ that led inevitably to his death on the Roman cross. Satan tempted The Son of God in four ways. The most seductive was the offer of power over the nations - (Matthew 4:8-11).

Jesus admonished his disciples: If anyone wishes to come after him, “ Let him deny himself daily, take up his cross, and follow after me .” This is more than metaphorical or hyperbolic language. He said this when he was on his final journey to Jerusalem where he would demonstrate what it meant to “ deny yourself and take up the cross .” To borrow a phrase from the older Holiness Movement, Death to Self.

When Jesus sent his disciples to announce the “ Good News ” to the “ lost sheep of Israel ,” he warned them they would be like “ sheep among wolves .” Hostile men would haul them before “ councils and whip them in their synagogues ,” and they would be hated “ by all men for my sake .” The men who should have welcomed the Messiah instead fought what he represented - Tooth and Nail .

In the Gospel of Mark , we see Jesus “ on the way ” to Jerusalem and the Cross. This theme occurs several times in Mark , beginning with the Baptist who was sent to “ prepare THE WAY before the Lord .” The Nazarene would complete his mission as the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ portrayed in the Book of Isaiah . He would be tried by the priestly leaders of the Temple, and face death outside the walls of the City of David at the hands of Rome.

Paul summoned believers to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life unto death for others  – Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus fulfilled the role of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ described in the  Book of Isaiah . Unlike Adam, he did not attempt to grasp the “ likeness of God ,” but he humbled himself and submitted to a shameful death on the Roman cross. Therefore, God exalted him and made him “ Lord ” over all things. His exaltation did not precede his death; his enthronement followed it, and he died utterly alone.

Jesus first appears in the Gospel of Mark when John baptizes him in the Jordan River. The account identifies him with his hometown, Nazareth, a village of no consequence, though its insignificance plays a role in the story. He is the “ Servant of the LORD ” anointed by the Spirit who does not conform to popular expectations about the Messiah.

Following his baptism, the voice from Heaven identified Jesus as God’s Son and the ‘Suffering Servant of the LORD’ . The promises of God are fulfilled  in Jesus of Nazareth,   the Son of God sent to redeem Israel and “ shepherd the nations .” Peter, for example, confirmed he was the “ Messiah ” but failed to understand how he would undertake that role as the ‘ Servant of Yahweh ’ who would “ bear the sins of many .” Christ’s identity and mission were revealed in his death on the Roman Cross.

The  Gospel of Matthew  presents Jesus as the “ Son of David .” In his life and death, he demonstrated what it meant to be the King of Israel. This last designation was linked traditionally to the House of David; but in Matthew, that understanding of the Messiah is altered in unexpected ways. The Greater “ Son of David ” is more than the Ruler of Israel or King over the Nations, for he is the Messiah of a radically different kind, the “ Servant of Yahweh .”

To be the Messiah of Israel meant suffering and death for others, and Jesus summoned his disciples to follow that same path – Mark 8:31. Jesus explained what it meant to be Israel’s Messiah and the Son of God as his entourage approached Jerusalem, suffering and death . This was contrary to popular expectations, including those of his closest disciples. He also summoned anyone who wished to follow him to take up his cross and emulate his example. Failure to do so would result in shame before the Lord of Glory.

The submission of Jesus to an unjust death is the pattern of the love and service to others that his disciples are called to imitate . The obedience of Jesus to his Father becomes the model for how we emulate him. His willing submission to death on the Roman Cross is the pattern for the conduct and attitude of his disciples. His elevation to the Messianic Throne resulted from his submission to “ death upon a cross .” Conforming our lives to this example is how we learn to “ follow him wherever he goes .”

In Galilee, the disciples witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, forgive sins, and even calm a violent storm, all supernatural acts performed with great authority. However, all too often, his words and deeds produced confusion followed by the question – “ Who is this man? ” Only at his execution on Golgotha did a human being begin to understand who he was.

After predicting his death, two disciples began jockeying for high-status positions in his coming Kingdom. Thinking according to the ways of this world’s concepts of political power, they did not comprehend what kind of Messiah Jesus was (and remains), and therefore, what it meant to follow him “ wherever he goes .” However, in Jerusalem, he would soon demonstrate how one achieves “ Greatness ” in the Kingdom of God.

In the three synoptic gospels, the term “ Son of Man ” is the self-designation found most often on the lips of Jesus. It is derived from Daniel’s vision of the one “ like a Son of Man ” who received the “ dominion and kingdom ” from the “ Ancient of Days .” According to Jesus, “ All the tribes of the Earth ” will mourn when “ they see the Son of man coming on the clouds of Heaven .”