Encounters on the Way to the Cross

Luke 9:51

St. John’s United Church of Christ
Greeley, Colorado
March 9, 2025
Rev. Juvenal Cervantes

I’d like for us to begin with a question today: What big story are you living in?

We are living out a story, a metanarrative, if you will. Creation, fall, redemption and restoration.

Not everyone lives out that story. Some folks are not necessarily living with God in mind. Last Saturday I was invited to share a Scripture with a group of men at El Cielo Restaurant. I talked about the price of following Christ, the importance of making our faith public and why it is best to live a life of gratitude.

I shared a story about the Democratic Republic of Congo. A group of men and women were escorted to a church building where they were bound and then beheaded, because they were followers of Christ. An affiliate of ISIS took responsibility for the horrific event.

There are those who choose to live without God and consequently devoid of morals, high on stress and anxiety and ultimately live in despair.

There are individuals who represent “the new atheism.” People such as Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and others who are trying to convince us that there is no God.

Additionally, there is a resurgence of “believers” who struggle with faith and renounced what they once believed. These “Christians” suggest there is no purpose in life, that there is no grandeur story, that we were not created by God, there is no sin, there is no fall, there is no right or wrong because there is no ultimate good.

These “Christians” who struggle with faith and atheists and every thinking person ultimately come to a place of despair. To them, life makes no sense. Life makes no sense.

We as Christians know that life makes sense because of the greater narrative we find ourselves in. This assurance is often an observed by the new atheists.

Tom Holland, an atheist historian wrote an article, “Why I was wrong about Christianity.” Holland does not mean he is now a believer. He does say, “I used to think we were Greko roman, influenced by the enlightenment, but actually, Christianity has framed everything and has changed the entire world, particularly in global west. He adds, “In essence, I have learned to accept that I am not Greek or Roman at all, but thoroughly and proudly Christian.”

Douglas Murrey, calls himself a “Christian atheist,” and writes, “We’re all Christians, we all live in a framed world.” Whether you like it or not, everything that atheists love about living in the United States, they owe it all to the Judeo-Christian ethic and the grander story.”

What is interesting here, some of you know the name Jordan Peterson, who comes from a psychological perspective. Some of these public intellectuals, are now embracing the fact that Christianity has radically changed the world. But what they say is that it is “metaphorically true,” but not “literally true.” They say “Wow, this is a great idea, dying to yourself, living for others, the sanctity of life.”

Think about it, this is where all the historian goes: Where does human right come from, if there is not God? Christianity.

Who says that every life is sacred, every person matters? The Bible

How is it that we care for the poor, feed the hungry, try to raise up others? All of them say, the Judeo-Christian values and ethics.

My friends our faith is based on a solid foundation. The apostle Paul asserted, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (I Corinthians 15:14).

Our faith is based on facts: archeology, history, science and logic.

Additionally, we do well to remember the words of Christ: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). That which we pursue, that which we value, that which we think about, that which makes us anxious, that is where our treasure is.

As we look at the Scripture for today, let’s put this in context. Luke 9:51 states, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

Jesus was starting his public ministry and he declared exactly what was going to happen to him and he intends his followers to be clear about life and Christ’s purpose in in their lives.

It is interesting that in the Bible we read the word “Christian” only three times and it is generally in a derogatory way. Conversely, the word “disciple” appears 261 times. Clearly, we are called to be God’s apprentice.

A recent study from futurologist George Barna revealed that 71% of Americans claim to be Christian, but only under nine percent have Biblical worldview. Other studies suggest only 4% of us are following the way of Jesus, truly walking with Christ.

Surely there is a gap between the first century Christians’ and us. A big difference is the habits that we entertain.

C.S. Lewis in “The Screwtape Letters” talks about a conversation with Satan and his demons. Satan is getting worried because many are following the way of Christ. Then Satan is interrupted by one of the demons: Oh, we’re okay, they (Christians) may purport to follow Christ, but we’re gaining: all the habits of our patients, mentally and bodily are in our favor!”

We are beginning a series of messages on the life of Christ from Galilee to the Golgotha. At the onset, Christ asks his followers, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter accurately says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirms such revelation and responds: “Upon that truth (that I am the son of the living God) I will build my church and the doors of hades will not prevail against it.

I want us to reflect on the three stages of Christ’s followers: 1) Responding to Jesus, 2) Following Jesus, and 3) Becoming like Jesus.

I. Respond to Jesus

In Luke 9:21 we read, “And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,” saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

The facts of Christ resurrection is evidence that demands a verdict.

We are faced with the opportunity to respond to Jesus’ claim. By faith we come to Christ, we become children of God and we are assured of our salvation.

II. Follow Jesus

Consider the command of Christ: “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”  Luke 9:23

Following Christ calls for a new you, a new attitude, a new pursuit. May I ask you, “How is your prayer life?” How are you giving your life away for Christ’s sake?” What does our money say about us? How are we following Christ?

III. Become like Jesus

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (v.24).

The way of denial changes the world.

Are you in being intentional and public about your faith?

Look at this sobering word from our Lord: “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

God is calling us to become like Jesus. I invite you to join me this week to think, talk and act like Christ and when we do this, He will keep our minds and hearts in perfect peace. I’m in, will you join me?