Anderson Hills

Jesus radically recasts true leadership by modeling servant leadership. Jesus, rather than wielding power and authority for self-promotion, empowers and lifts up others. Jesus teaches, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” In contrast to worldly leadership, Jesus’ followers lead by serving. Disciples regard whatever power or privilege God has afforded them as gifts to be given for the sake of others. Followers seek to protect and promote others, even to their own hurt. Jesus does not call His disciples to walk a path that He did not walk. “To serve” is the reason He came into the world. He is the perfect example of selfless, loving, God-honoring service.

Jesus radically recasts true leadership by modeling servant leadership. Jesus, rather than wielding power and authority for self-promotion, empowers and lifts up others. Jesus teaches, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” In contrast to worldly leadership, Jesus’ followers lead by serving. Disciples regard whatever power or privilege God has afforded them as gifts to be given for the sake of others. Followers seek to protect and promote others, even to their own hurt. Jesus does not call His disciples to walk a path that He did not walk. “To serve” is the reason He came into the world. He is the perfect example of selfless, loving, God-honoring service.

In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” These words convey well the calling of Jesus that Mark recorded: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” Jesus wanted to make it clear to His disciples and the crowd that the principle of suffering that was in His future would also apply to His followers. If you want to be a disciple of Jesus—you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. It’s easy to say you’re a follower of Jesus, until the going gets hard. But Jesus expects you to identify with Him, even if that means enduring rejection and suffering. Followers of Jesus will not escape pain and suffering but will gain eternal blessings.

In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” These words convey well the calling of Jesus that Mark recorded: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” Jesus wanted to make it clear to His disciples and the crowd that the principle of suffering that was in His future would also apply to His followers. If you want to be a disciple of Jesus—you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. It’s easy to say you’re a follower of Jesus, until the going gets hard. But Jesus expects you to identify with Him, even if that means enduring rejection and suffering. Followers of Jesus will not escape pain and suffering but will gain eternal blessings.

For the first time Jesus plainly speaks about what no one expected. The Christ, prophesied to be Israel’s mighty and everlasting King, must suffer terrible things, be rejected by the elders, and be killed. But He will rise from the dead. A dead Christ? A condemned King? Dying and rising? Right in the center of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus reveals the heart of His mission, but His disciples cannot grasp it. Rejection and death certainly was not what the disciples were expecting. They expected victory, not defeat. Without paying for our sins by suffering pain on the cross, or defeating death through His resurrection, Jesus’ previous healings and miracles would, at best, have been temporary reprieves. We need to remember this truth—the King’s pain is our balm.

For the first time Jesus plainly speaks about what no one expected. The Christ, prophesied to be Israel’s mighty and everlasting King, must suffer terrible things, be rejected by the elders, and be killed. But He will rise from the dead. A dead Christ? A condemned King? Dying and rising? Right in the center of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus reveals the heart of His mission, but His disciples cannot grasp it. Rejection and death certainly was not what the disciples were expecting. They expected victory, not defeat. Without paying for our sins by suffering pain on the cross, or defeating death through His resurrection, Jesus’ previous healings and miracles would, at best, have been temporary reprieves. We need to remember this truth—the King’s pain is our balm.

In Jesus’ day, two prominent realities organized Jewish life, the Temple and Torah. At the Temple, sacrifices were made, feasts celebrated, and worship offered. Through the Torah, God instructed His people to live holy lives by keeping His Commandments. Over time, Israel’s religious leaders developed extensive and complicated teachings for how the Law of God should be applied in specific areas. But as often happens, when human beings add to God’s law, we end up subtracting from it. Rule keeping and score keeping replace heart devotion. Following customs and traditions can’t fix your sinful heart. Only Jesus Christ, through His atoning work on the cross, can grant forgiveness of sins and a transformed heart.

In Jesus’ day, two prominent realities organized Jewish life, the Temple and Torah. At the Temple, sacrifices were made, feasts celebrated, and worship offered. Through the Torah, God instructed His people to live holy lives by keeping His Commandments. Over time, Israel’s religious leaders developed extensive and complicated teachings for how the Law of God should be applied in specific areas. But as often happens, when human beings add to God’s law, we end up subtracting from it. Rule keeping and score keeping replace heart devotion. Following customs and traditions can’t fix your sinful heart. Only Jesus Christ, through His atoning work on the cross, can grant forgiveness of sins and a transformed heart.

The feeding of five thousand is important for understanding who Jesus is, what people need, and the essence of discipleship. The crowd elicits compassion from Jesus, “They are like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus challenges the disciples by saying, “You give them something to eat.” It’s as though He wants His power to work through them. Jesus multiplies their bread; He uses their hands to feed the crowd; He provides more than enough for everyone. Discipleship is about serving Jesus’ people with the sustenance Jesus supplies. We are called to give to God from what God has provided for us—our money, possessions, time, and abilities.

The feeding of five thousand is important for understanding who Jesus is, what people need, and the essence of discipleship. The crowd elicits compassion from Jesus, “They are like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus challenges the disciples by saying, “You give them something to eat.” It’s as though He wants His power to work through them. Jesus multiplies their bread; He uses their hands to feed the crowd; He provides more than enough for everyone. Discipleship is about serving Jesus’ people with the sustenance Jesus supplies. We are called to give to God from what God has provided for us—our money, possessions, time, and abilities.