ashamed

 Mark 8:27-38 is the lectionary text for Sunday, September 12.

Peter confirmed that Jesus is Messiah, but could not get with the idea of redemption and Grace.  Peter could not think in Kingdom terms.  He could only see the human values of long life.

Similarly, Jesus pointed out that to be His follower means leaving the typical worldly values of a self-serving orientation.  It is not about indulging, edifying, glorifying, promoting, serving or even saving self.  It is about losing self for His sake and the sake of the Good News in the world.  For followers of Jesus, it is not about what we get, even heaven, but about losing a life of worldly values and saving a life in Kingdom values now and in heaven.  If we focus on preserving our own lives rather than giving them in service to our Lord and our Lord's children, we will lose life with Him, now and later.  It is Jesus' rebuke of the tempter.   It is Jesus' rebuke of empire values.  It is Jesus' rebuke of those who would claim to follow Him, but who will not go to the Cross with Him.

Prosperity Theology, Church Growth Theology, Personal Salvation Theology, Self-Righteousness through personal purity and holiness Theology are all contrary to the Gospel of Jesus that does not talk about US saving souls, but rather the Holy Spirit doing so.  They are contrary to the Gospel of Jesus that does not talk about even saving ourselves, but in giving ourselves for the sake of others, even following His example, even to the Cross.

It is about sacrifice and finding a new life in the love of others - a life of living Agape Love that is a life worth saving, rather than holding onto worldly (empire) values and walking away sadly from our desire to inherit the Kingdom.

If we are ashamed of the Good News of Jesus because it runs contrary to the American way of life, American Civil Religion, laissez-faire Capitalism and the false, bad theologies that promote them, then Jesus is ashamed of us when He returns.

A pretty clear message, I think.

Deny self, lose the life you have been pursuing according to empire values, and again a life faithful to God - a life centered in the living of Agape Love and Grace.  Do it without shame, unabashedly proud to counter, resist and challenge empire at every turn because the Way of Jesus is a better, more sustainable way for all humanity.  That will save a lot of lives, a lot of souls, even perhaps the soul of our nation.  If not, then... 

Pastor Jamie