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It was only when he died that the Roman centurion in charge of the execution recognized that Jesus was the Son of God . Everyone in the Gospel of Mark is incapable of recognizing who Jesus is, except for John the Baptist, Peter (momentarily), and the Roman centurion at his execution, and Peter’s moment of insight proved fleeting. Even the Baptist began to question the identity of Christ when he was imprisoned by Herod Antipas.

Jesus is revealed as the Savior of Mankind in his sufferings and self-sacrificial death for others, including his enemies . The inability of men to recognize Jesus as the Son of God until after his crucifixion is a key theme of the  Gospel of Mark . Ironically, the first man who did so was the Roman centurion on duty at Christ’s execution. The self-identification of Jesus as the suffering “ Son of Man ” made him unrecognizable to unregenerate men. He was the Savior no one expected or, frankly, wanted.

Following Jesus means a life of self-denial and service, and a willingness to suffer persecution and loss for his sake . Rage and retaliation are inappropriate reactions to hostility if we are disciples of Jesus. His instructions about this certainly are contrary to “ the wisdom of this age ” and human experience. Nevertheless, responding in anger to violations of our political, civil, and individual “rights” only demonstrates how far we have strayed from his teachings and examples, especially his sacrificial death on the Cross for friend and foe alike.

Jesus submitted to a shameful death on the Cross, and he summons us to follow his example and path . Jesus tells us that if we wish to be his disciple, we must “ d eny ourselves, take up his cross, and follow him .” This was more than metaphorical language when he made this pronouncement on his final journey to Jerusalem. In the City of David,  he would demonstrate just what it means “ to take up the cross .”

Paul summoned believers to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life “unto death” for others – Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus fulfilled the role of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ from the  Book of Isaiah . Unlike Adam, Christ did not attempt to grasp the “ likeness of God .” Instead, he humbled himself and submitted to a shameful death on the Roman cross. Therefore, God exalted him and made him “ Lord ” over all things. His exaltation did not precede his death; his enthronement followed it, and he died utterly alone.

Jesus journeyed relentlessly toward Jerusalem, where he, “the Son of Man,” would be arrested, tried, and executed – Mark 10:32-34. Jesus is “ on the way ” to Jerusalem in the  Gospel of Mark , where his enemies will kill him, but he will sacrifice his life on behalf of his people. The theme of Christ’s relentless journey to his death is repeated in  Mark ,   beginning with John the Baptist, the forerunner who came to “ prepare  the way of the Lord .”

The previously hidden mysteries of God are revealed in Jesus, and especially so in his Death and Resurrection, History’s turning point . The Bible   speaks of the “ mysteries ” of God, His ways that are hidden from human wisdom and defy expectations. As Jesus declared, not everyone can understand the “ mysteries of the Kingdom .” It is God who reveals the deep and obscure things to whomever He pleases, and in His Son, He has done so for all men to see. Or at least, for those with “ eyes that can see .”

Did Jesus triumph and begin his messianic reign following his Death and Resurrection, or is he still waiting for some future event? Did Jesus conquer his enemies on Calvary as Scripture declares or not? Most of us would answer, “Yes, of course!” Nevertheless, certain popular teachings, intentionally or not, effectively deny this and teach that his reign will not commence until his return at the end of the present age.

The power and wisdom of God are revealed in the proclamation of the Messiah who was crucified to save the World . Jesus performed miracles and taught with great authority, and for a time, he attracted large crowds. But his contemporaries failed to recognize who he was despite his displays of supernatural power. Only the Roman centurion at Golgotha perceived that the Nazarene was God’s Son when Jesus breathed his last.

The man with the mind of the Spirit understands that Christ Crucified, the Word of the Cross, is the Power and Wisdom of God . Overused by the Church and society, the English term ‘spiritual’ has become meaningless. To some, it is synonymous with  religion . To be  religious  is to be  spiritual . To others, it refers to supernatural things not of this physical universe, creatures that are otherworldly, noncorporeal, invisible, and live beyond the realm of time.

Satan and the Rulers of this Age exalt themselves and usurp Divine prerogatives in contrast to the true Servant of God, Jesus Christ . Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the role of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ described in the  Book of Isaiah . He did not attempt to seize the “ likeness of God ” as Adam did or exploit his position as God’s Messiah to exercise power over others. His sovereignty is radically different than the governments of this fallen world. Rather than subjugate his subjects or kill his enemies, Christ endured a shameful death on the Imperial Cross for friend and foe alike in obedience to his Father; therefore, God exalted him above all things.

We are called to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life even unto death for the sake of others – Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus fulfilled the role of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ described in the  Book of Isaiah . He did not attempt to grasp the “ likeness of God ” as Adam did. Instead, Christ humbled himself and submitted to a shameful death on the Roman Cross. Therefore, God exalted him and made him sovereign over all things. His exaltation did not precede his death; his enthronement followed it.

Christ Crucified is the example we are summoned to follow daily, and it is the test of the genuine Apostolic Faith and true spirituality . The death of Jesus provides the indispensable pattern for how we must live in this fallen world, and the measuring rod for judging spirituality. Whether examining a man’s wisdom, teachings, conduct, or supernatural deeds, the Cross of Christ is the bright line between truth and falsehood. No man can know God apart from “ Christ crucified .” God has revealed Himself in His Son, the Crucified Messiah.

It was only when he died that the Roman centurion in charge of the execution recognized that Jesus was the Son of God . Everyone in the Gospel of Mark is incapable of recognizing who Jesus is, except for John the Baptist, Peter (momentarily), and the Roman centurion at his execution, and Peter’s moment of insight proved fleeting. Even the Baptist began to question the identity of Christ when he was imprisoned by Herod Antipas.

“ They overcame the Dragon by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and because they loved not their lives unto death .” Popular preaching claims the Church’s victory will be accomplished by the coming massive outpouring of mighty “signs and wonders” as predicted by today’s prophetic voices. This has become the “Holy Grail”  of charismatic churches. Only a super revival characterized by wave after wave of miraculous deeds will equip the church to fulfill its  Great Commission .

Disciples of Jesus are summoned to self-sacrificial service for others just as Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many . After predicting his death, two disciples began jockeying for positions of high status in Christ’s coming Kingdom. Thinking according to the ways of this world, they did not comprehend what kind of Messiah Jesus was, and therefore, what it meant to follow him. However, in Jerusalem, he would demonstrate exactly how one becomes “Great” in the Kingdom of God.

The inability of men to recognize Jesus as the Son of God until after his crucifixion is a key theme of the Gospel of Mark , and the first man who identified him as such was the Roman centurion on duty during his execution. The self-identification of Jesus as the “ Son of Man ” who suffers for his people made him repugnant to unregenerate men and unrecognizable to Israel (“ His own received him not ”).

The spiritually minded man understands that the proclamation of Christ Crucified is the Power and Wisdom of God  - 1 Corinthians 2:14. Overused by the Church and society, the English term ‘spiritual’ has become meaningless. To some, it is synonymous with  religion . To be  religious  is to be  spiritual . To others, it refers to supernatural things not of this physical universe, creatures that are otherworldly, noncorporeal, invisible, and live beyond the realm of time.

The power of God is revealed in the proclamation of a Messiah, one who was crucified by the World Empire on a Roman Cross . Chairman Mao Zedong famously declared: “ Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun .” This describes the  modus operandi  of the State and its  raison d'etat  since the dawn of civilization. Men and women may be motivated in one of two ways:  Persuasion  or  Force . Invariably, the Political Machine chooses the latter.

The theme of fulfillment is dominant in the New Testament. In Jesus Christ, the promises of God have found their fulfillment. He is the Son of God sent to redeem Israel and rule the nations but in a most paradoxical way. Peter confirmed that he was the “ Messiah ” but failed to understand that he would undertake that role as the “ Servant of Yahweh ” who came to “ bear the sins of many .” His true identity was revealed through his self-sacrificial act at Calvary.