Mark 8:22-9:1 Aminjikarai

Upside Down: Life Jesus Style

Jesus starts the conversation: What’s the word on the street?

• He knows the answer, but asks the question for their sake.
• Why John the Baptist, Elijah or a prophet?
• Theories about Jesus today

Jesus makes it personal: What do YOU think of me?

This is the crux: of this book, of the Bible, of all existential questions, of eternal destinies, of evangelism. It is THE MOST IMPORTANT question!

Jesus makes a startling revelation: He defines His life’s mission, and on the surface, it looks like utter defeat.

• He would suffer – not prosper and live a life of ease as a ruler.
• He would be rejected – not increase in popularity and become part of the inner circle.
• He would be killed – not set up and rule over an earthly kingdom.

Jesus makes it REALLY personal: He defines what it means to be His disciple and it, too, looks, on the surface, to be utter defeat.

Good, you know who I am. But it’s not just believing, or saying that you believe; it looks like this:

• Deny yourself – not “Look out for yourself”
• Take up your cross– not “Go with the flow. Get all you can out of life… “
• Follow Me – not “Do your own thing.”

Jesus’ upside down way is not about moping around with a martyr complex. It’s about giving your life away and receiving life in return.

Jesus promises: You’re going to be amazed!

Some of those present would see the unfolding of the epic plan that had been set in motion before the foundation of the world. They would see Jesus’ transfiguration (chapter 9).Then they would witness His death, resurrection and ascension, along with the sending of Holy Spirit and the spreading of the gospel.

The kingdom in its fullness is coming! And He is the King…