Keeping Jesus magnified (no audio)

This week we looked at James 3:1-12 and Mark 8:27-38. The Mark passage looks at Peter’s declaration of Jesus as the Messiah. But, as soon as Jesus begins to talk of how he would suffer, be killed, and rise from the dead, Peter couldn’t handle it. In one instance Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak truth; just a little later Peter was influenced by the enemy to cast doubt over Jesus’ words. Peter had a different idea of what the Messiah, Israel’s promised king, would be like. Just like Peter, in Jesus’ words and life, we don’t find the king we want, we get the King we need. 

Continuing on in this passage Jesus mirrors what’s going to happen to him to what it looks like to be one of his followers. First, discipleship means denying yourself by laying down your will and desires. Second, sometimes discipleship feels like dying; Jesus used the shameful imagery of carrying the cross as metaphor meaning that a person’s life was over. Third, discipleship determines that the central organizing principle of your life is a person, not an organization or philosophy; it’s only safe to surrender our will to Jesus and dangerous to any other. Finally, in discipleship Jesus becomes magnified. 

Jesus’ magnification is about our attention and focus. When Jesus is magnified in our lives he is what we’re looking at the most. He will be the most significant person and voice. He becomes the perfect lens through which we can see the reality of our lives - our desires, emotions, and relationships. Jesus will be our God and our guide as we navigate our decisions, big and small. Regular rhythms and practices help to keep Jesus magnified in our lives. These include a daily habit of spending time with Jesus in prayer and scripture, being together in community so we don’t get too stuck or goofy, and remembering to do the last thing Jesus spoke to you. All of these keep Jesus front and centre as we follow behind him.